A TO Z of educational terms
Welcome to our Educational Terms Explained page. Schools use many abbreviations and specialist terms, and we hope this guide helps parents, carers and members of our school community understand some of the language used at Trimley St Martin Primary School.
A
Admission Authority
The organisation legally responsible for setting and applying a school’s admission arrangements. For a maintained community school, this is normally the local authority.
Admissions Register
The official register of pupils admitted to the school. Schools have legal responsibilities regarding the information recorded and maintained.
Assessment
The process of gathering information about what pupils know, understand and can do. Teachers use assessment information to plan teaching, identify support and monitor progress.
Attainment
The standards or levels that pupils have reached in their learning, measured against curriculum expectations or national assessments.
Attendance
A pupil's presence at school. Regular attendance is essential because it gives children the best opportunity to learn, develop relationships and achieve their potential. Schools have statutory responsibilities for recording and promoting attendance.
Authorised Absence
An absence that the school has accepted as being for a lawful and appropriate reason, using the DfE attendance framework.
B
Behaviour Policy
The school's published approach to promoting positive behaviour, maintaining a safe and respectful environment and responding to behaviour that does not meet the school's expectations.
C
Catch-Up / Targeted Support
Additional teaching, intervention or support provided to pupils who need further help to secure knowledge, skills or understanding.
Child in Care (CIC)
A child who is looked after by a local authority.
Children Missing Education (CME)Children of compulsory school age who are not registered at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise.
Co-opted Governor
A governor appointed by the governing body because of their skills, experience or contribution to effective governance.
Compulsory School Age
The period during which a child is legally required to receive education.
Curriculum
Everything a school provides to support children's learning, development and wider experiences. This includes the statutory National Curriculum and the wider curriculum offered by the school.
D
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The member of staff with lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within school. The DSL works with staff, families and external agencies to promote children's welfare and respond to concerns.
Department for Education (DfE)
The government department responsible for education and children's services policy in England.
Disadvantaged Pupils
Pupils who may face additional barriers to educational achievement because of their circumstances. This includes pupils who are eligible for Pupil Premium.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The organisation responsible for carrying out criminal record checks and maintaining the lists of people barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.
E
Early Career Teacher (ECT)
A teacher in the first two years following qualification who is completing their statutory induction.
Early Help
Support provided at an early stage when a child or family needs additional help, with the aim of preventing difficulties from becoming more serious.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The statutory framework for children from birth to the end of Reception. It sets standards for children's learning, development, safeguarding and welfare.
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
A legal plan for a child or young person aged 0–25 who has special educational needs or disabilities requiring support beyond that normally available through SEN provision.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
A term used when a pupil uses or has been exposed to a language other than English at home.
Equality Act 2010
Legislation which protects people from discrimination and places duties on schools to promote equality and prevent unlawful discrimination.
Exclusion
The removal of a pupil from school as a disciplinary measure. A temporary exclusion is now called a suspension. A permanent exclusion means a pupil is permanently removed from the school.
F
Free School Meals (FSM)
School meals provided without charge to pupils who meet the national eligibility criteria.
Federation
A formal arrangement in which two or more maintained schools are governed by a single federated governing body.
G
Governing Body
The body responsible for the strategic oversight and governance of a maintained school.
Governor
A member of the school's governing body who contributes to the strategic leadership, accountability and effectiveness of the school.
Governance Professional
The person who provides administrative and procedural support to the governing body and helps ensure that governance processes are properly conducted.
H
Headteacher
The senior leader responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.
Health Education
Statutory education covering physical health, mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and related issues.
Home-School Partnership
The relationship between school and families, recognising that children's education is strongest when parents, carers and school work together.
I
Inclusion
Ensuring that all pupils are able to participate fully in school life and receive appropriate support to overcome barriers to learning and participation.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
A plan that may be used by a school to identify specific targets, strategies and support for an individual pupil. An IEP is not a statutory document and schools may use different terminology.
K
Key Stage
A stage of the National Curriculum:
Statutory safeguarding guidance issued by the Department for Education. Schools must have regard to the current version when carrying out their safeguarding responsibilities.
L
Local Authority (LA)
The local government organisation responsible for providing or commissioning a range of services for children and families. For Trimley St Martin Primary School, this is Suffolk County Council.
Local Offer
Information published by a local authority about education, health, social care and support available for children and young people with SEND.
Looked-After Child / Child in CareA child who is looked after by a local authority. Schools have specific responsibilities for supporting the education of looked-after children.
M
Maintained School
A state-funded school that is maintained by a local authority.
Medical Conditions
Schools have responsibilities to support pupils with medical conditions. Appropriate arrangements, policies and individual healthcare plans are put in place where necessary.
Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)
A statutory online check taken by pupils in Year 4 to assess their fluency in multiplication tables.
N
National Curriculum
The statutory framework setting out the subjects and content that maintained schools in England must teach at different key stages.
National Curriculum Assessments
Statutory assessments used at particular points in a child's education. In primary school these include the Phonics Screening Check, Multiplication Tables Check and Key Stage 2 assessments.
O
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. Ofsted inspects education and care services in England, including schools.
Online SafetyThe measures schools take to help children use technology safely, responsibly and positively. This includes understanding risks such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online abuse, harmful behaviour and sharing personal information.
P
Parent Governor
A governor elected or appointed to represent the parent perspective on the governing body.
Persistent Absence (PA)
A pupil whose attendance falls below the DfE's threshold for persistent absence. Schools monitor attendance carefully and work with families to understand and address barriers to regular attendance. Current attendance guidance places a strong emphasis on early identification and support.
Phonics Screening Check
A statutory check undertaken in Year 1 to assess pupils' ability to decode words using their phonics knowledge.
Pupil Premium
Additional government funding provided to state-funded schools to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Eligibility includes pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals or have been eligible during the previous six years, alongside other eligible groups such as children who are or have been in care.
Pupil Referral Unit (PRU)
A type of alternative provision established by a local authority for pupils who cannot appropriately attend mainstream or special school.
Pupil Voice
Opportunities for pupils to express their views, contribute to school life and influence appropriate decisions.
R
Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)
A statutory assessment undertaken during the first six weeks of a child starting Reception. It provides a starting point from which progress can be measured.
Religious Education (RE)
Education about religion and worldviews. RE is compulsory in state-funded schools, although parents have certain rights to withdraw their children.
Relationships and Health Education
Statutory education covering relationships, physical and mental health, wellbeing and related issues.
RSE – Relationships and Sex Education
At primary school, Relationships Education is statutory. Schools may also provide age-appropriate sex education as part of their wider curriculum, in accordance with their policy.
S
Safeguarding
The action schools take to promote children's welfare and protect them from harm.
School Development Plan (SDP)
The school's strategic plan identifying key priorities for improvement, together with the actions, intended outcomes and monitoring arrangements.
School Census
A statutory collection of information about pupils, schools and staff submitted to the Department for Education.
School Offer
Information provided by the school explaining the education, support, enrichment and wider opportunities available to pupils and families.
Self-Evaluation
The process through which a school evaluates its effectiveness, identifies strengths and areas for development and uses evidence to inform improvement.
SEN – Special Educational Needs
A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made.
SENCO – Special Educational Needs Coordinator
The member of staff responsible for coordinating the school's provision for pupils with special educational needs.
SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The term used to describe special educational needs and disabilities.
SEND Code of Practice
The statutory guidance that provides information about duties and responsibilities relating to children and young people with SEND.
Sonar Tracking
The assessment and tracking system used at Trimley St Martin to record and monitor pupils' attainment and progress.
Suspension
The temporary removal of a pupil from school following a disciplinary decision.
T
Teacher Assessment
Teachers' professional assessment of pupils' knowledge, understanding and attainment, based on evidence gathered through teaching and learning.
Teaching Assistant (TA)
A member of support staff who works alongside teachers to support pupils' learning, wellbeing and inclusion.
U
Unauthorised Absence
An absence that has not been approved by the school because the reason does not meet the requirements for authorised absence.
Universal Provision
The teaching, support and reasonable adjustments normally available to all pupils as part of high-quality inclusive classroom practice.
V
Values
The principles and behaviours that underpin the culture and ethos of a school.
Voluntary Aided School (VA)
A maintained school where a voluntary organisation, often a religious organisation, has a significant role in the school's governance, premises and/or religious character.
Voluntary Controlled School (VC)
A maintained school where the local authority employs the staff and has significant responsibility for the school, while a voluntary organisation may have an ongoing role in the school's character and premises.
.
Admission Authority
The organisation legally responsible for setting and applying a school’s admission arrangements. For a maintained community school, this is normally the local authority.
Admissions Register
The official register of pupils admitted to the school. Schools have legal responsibilities regarding the information recorded and maintained.
Assessment
The process of gathering information about what pupils know, understand and can do. Teachers use assessment information to plan teaching, identify support and monitor progress.
Attainment
The standards or levels that pupils have reached in their learning, measured against curriculum expectations or national assessments.
Attendance
A pupil's presence at school. Regular attendance is essential because it gives children the best opportunity to learn, develop relationships and achieve their potential. Schools have statutory responsibilities for recording and promoting attendance.
Authorised Absence
An absence that the school has accepted as being for a lawful and appropriate reason, using the DfE attendance framework.
B
Behaviour Policy
The school's published approach to promoting positive behaviour, maintaining a safe and respectful environment and responding to behaviour that does not meet the school's expectations.
C
Catch-Up / Targeted Support
Additional teaching, intervention or support provided to pupils who need further help to secure knowledge, skills or understanding.
Child in Care (CIC)
A child who is looked after by a local authority.
Children Missing Education (CME)Children of compulsory school age who are not registered at a school and are not receiving suitable education otherwise.
Co-opted Governor
A governor appointed by the governing body because of their skills, experience or contribution to effective governance.
Compulsory School Age
The period during which a child is legally required to receive education.
Curriculum
Everything a school provides to support children's learning, development and wider experiences. This includes the statutory National Curriculum and the wider curriculum offered by the school.
D
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The member of staff with lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within school. The DSL works with staff, families and external agencies to promote children's welfare and respond to concerns.
Department for Education (DfE)
The government department responsible for education and children's services policy in England.
Disadvantaged Pupils
Pupils who may face additional barriers to educational achievement because of their circumstances. This includes pupils who are eligible for Pupil Premium.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
The organisation responsible for carrying out criminal record checks and maintaining the lists of people barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.
E
Early Career Teacher (ECT)
A teacher in the first two years following qualification who is completing their statutory induction.
Early Help
Support provided at an early stage when a child or family needs additional help, with the aim of preventing difficulties from becoming more serious.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The statutory framework for children from birth to the end of Reception. It sets standards for children's learning, development, safeguarding and welfare.
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
A legal plan for a child or young person aged 0–25 who has special educational needs or disabilities requiring support beyond that normally available through SEN provision.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
A term used when a pupil uses or has been exposed to a language other than English at home.
Equality Act 2010
Legislation which protects people from discrimination and places duties on schools to promote equality and prevent unlawful discrimination.
Exclusion
The removal of a pupil from school as a disciplinary measure. A temporary exclusion is now called a suspension. A permanent exclusion means a pupil is permanently removed from the school.
F
Free School Meals (FSM)
School meals provided without charge to pupils who meet the national eligibility criteria.
Federation
A formal arrangement in which two or more maintained schools are governed by a single federated governing body.
G
Governing Body
The body responsible for the strategic oversight and governance of a maintained school.
Governor
A member of the school's governing body who contributes to the strategic leadership, accountability and effectiveness of the school.
Governance Professional
The person who provides administrative and procedural support to the governing body and helps ensure that governance processes are properly conducted.
H
Headteacher
The senior leader responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.
Health Education
Statutory education covering physical health, mental wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and related issues.
Home-School Partnership
The relationship between school and families, recognising that children's education is strongest when parents, carers and school work together.
I
Inclusion
Ensuring that all pupils are able to participate fully in school life and receive appropriate support to overcome barriers to learning and participation.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
A plan that may be used by a school to identify specific targets, strategies and support for an individual pupil. An IEP is not a statutory document and schools may use different terminology.
K
Key Stage
A stage of the National Curriculum:
- EYFS – Reception
- Key Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2
- Key Stage 2 – Years 3 to 6
Statutory safeguarding guidance issued by the Department for Education. Schools must have regard to the current version when carrying out their safeguarding responsibilities.
L
Local Authority (LA)
The local government organisation responsible for providing or commissioning a range of services for children and families. For Trimley St Martin Primary School, this is Suffolk County Council.
Local Offer
Information published by a local authority about education, health, social care and support available for children and young people with SEND.
Looked-After Child / Child in CareA child who is looked after by a local authority. Schools have specific responsibilities for supporting the education of looked-after children.
M
Maintained School
A state-funded school that is maintained by a local authority.
Medical Conditions
Schools have responsibilities to support pupils with medical conditions. Appropriate arrangements, policies and individual healthcare plans are put in place where necessary.
Multiplication Tables Check (MTC)
A statutory online check taken by pupils in Year 4 to assess their fluency in multiplication tables.
N
National Curriculum
The statutory framework setting out the subjects and content that maintained schools in England must teach at different key stages.
National Curriculum Assessments
Statutory assessments used at particular points in a child's education. In primary school these include the Phonics Screening Check, Multiplication Tables Check and Key Stage 2 assessments.
O
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. Ofsted inspects education and care services in England, including schools.
Online SafetyThe measures schools take to help children use technology safely, responsibly and positively. This includes understanding risks such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online abuse, harmful behaviour and sharing personal information.
P
Parent Governor
A governor elected or appointed to represent the parent perspective on the governing body.
Persistent Absence (PA)
A pupil whose attendance falls below the DfE's threshold for persistent absence. Schools monitor attendance carefully and work with families to understand and address barriers to regular attendance. Current attendance guidance places a strong emphasis on early identification and support.
Phonics Screening Check
A statutory check undertaken in Year 1 to assess pupils' ability to decode words using their phonics knowledge.
Pupil Premium
Additional government funding provided to state-funded schools to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Eligibility includes pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals or have been eligible during the previous six years, alongside other eligible groups such as children who are or have been in care.
Pupil Referral Unit (PRU)
A type of alternative provision established by a local authority for pupils who cannot appropriately attend mainstream or special school.
Pupil Voice
Opportunities for pupils to express their views, contribute to school life and influence appropriate decisions.
R
Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)
A statutory assessment undertaken during the first six weeks of a child starting Reception. It provides a starting point from which progress can be measured.
Religious Education (RE)
Education about religion and worldviews. RE is compulsory in state-funded schools, although parents have certain rights to withdraw their children.
Relationships and Health Education
Statutory education covering relationships, physical and mental health, wellbeing and related issues.
RSE – Relationships and Sex Education
At primary school, Relationships Education is statutory. Schools may also provide age-appropriate sex education as part of their wider curriculum, in accordance with their policy.
S
Safeguarding
The action schools take to promote children's welfare and protect them from harm.
School Development Plan (SDP)
The school's strategic plan identifying key priorities for improvement, together with the actions, intended outcomes and monitoring arrangements.
School Census
A statutory collection of information about pupils, schools and staff submitted to the Department for Education.
School Offer
Information provided by the school explaining the education, support, enrichment and wider opportunities available to pupils and families.
Self-Evaluation
The process through which a school evaluates its effectiveness, identifies strengths and areas for development and uses evidence to inform improvement.
SEN – Special Educational Needs
A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made.
SENCO – Special Educational Needs Coordinator
The member of staff responsible for coordinating the school's provision for pupils with special educational needs.
SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The term used to describe special educational needs and disabilities.
SEND Code of Practice
The statutory guidance that provides information about duties and responsibilities relating to children and young people with SEND.
Sonar Tracking
The assessment and tracking system used at Trimley St Martin to record and monitor pupils' attainment and progress.
Suspension
The temporary removal of a pupil from school following a disciplinary decision.
T
Teacher Assessment
Teachers' professional assessment of pupils' knowledge, understanding and attainment, based on evidence gathered through teaching and learning.
Teaching Assistant (TA)
A member of support staff who works alongside teachers to support pupils' learning, wellbeing and inclusion.
U
Unauthorised Absence
An absence that has not been approved by the school because the reason does not meet the requirements for authorised absence.
Universal Provision
The teaching, support and reasonable adjustments normally available to all pupils as part of high-quality inclusive classroom practice.
V
Values
The principles and behaviours that underpin the culture and ethos of a school.
Voluntary Aided School (VA)
A maintained school where a voluntary organisation, often a religious organisation, has a significant role in the school's governance, premises and/or religious character.
Voluntary Controlled School (VC)
A maintained school where the local authority employs the staff and has significant responsibility for the school, while a voluntary organisation may have an ongoing role in the school's character and premises.
.
TSM-Specific Terms
These are useful additions because they relate directly to information parents will find around our Trimley St Martin website.
Attendance Matters
Regular attendance gives children the best opportunity to learn, make progress, develop friendships and enjoy school. We work with families to understand barriers to attendance and provide support where appropriate. The current DfE approach is based on early identification, partnership with families and removing barriers to attendance.
Child Protection
The specific part of safeguarding concerned with protecting individual children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
Educational Visits
Planned learning experiences outside the classroom which enrich and extend pupils' learning.
Equality Objectives
Specific objectives identified by the school to demonstrate how it is meeting its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.
Prevent
The government's safeguarding duty relating to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism. Schools must have due regard to the Prevent duty.
School Meals
Meals provided by the school for pupils. At TSM, parents/carers manage school dinner payments and bookings through the school's Arbor system.
School Website
The school's website provides information for parents, carers, pupils, governors and the wider community, including policies, curriculum information, school dates, forms and useful links.
Staff
The adults who work at school in teaching, support, administrative, pastoral, premises and leadership roles. All staff have an important role in creating a safe, inclusive and positive school environment.
Values and Ethos
The principles, attitudes and behaviours that shape the culture of Trimley St Martin Primary School.
Volunteering
Opportunities for parents, carers and members of the wider community to contribute their time, skills and experience to support the school.
These are useful additions because they relate directly to information parents will find around our Trimley St Martin website.
Attendance Matters
Regular attendance gives children the best opportunity to learn, make progress, develop friendships and enjoy school. We work with families to understand barriers to attendance and provide support where appropriate. The current DfE approach is based on early identification, partnership with families and removing barriers to attendance.
Child Protection
The specific part of safeguarding concerned with protecting individual children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.
Educational Visits
Planned learning experiences outside the classroom which enrich and extend pupils' learning.
Equality Objectives
Specific objectives identified by the school to demonstrate how it is meeting its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.
Prevent
The government's safeguarding duty relating to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism. Schools must have due regard to the Prevent duty.
School Meals
Meals provided by the school for pupils. At TSM, parents/carers manage school dinner payments and bookings through the school's Arbor system.
School Website
The school's website provides information for parents, carers, pupils, governors and the wider community, including policies, curriculum information, school dates, forms and useful links.
Staff
The adults who work at school in teaching, support, administrative, pastoral, premises and leadership roles. All staff have an important role in creating a safe, inclusive and positive school environment.
Values and Ethos
The principles, attitudes and behaviours that shape the culture of Trimley St Martin Primary School.
Volunteering
Opportunities for parents, carers and members of the wider community to contribute their time, skills and experience to support the school.
