Glossary of Terms

A type of primary or secondary state school in England funded directly by the Department for Education. Academies (and Free Schools) operate independently from local authorities and are allowed to set their own admissions criteria and curriculum. Often part of a Multi Academy Trust (see below). Previous UK governments had endeavoured to convert all English state schools to academies by 2030 but the current Labour government have not made this a priority. ‘Academy’ is also one of a number of names given to secondary schools in Scotland although they do not operate in the same way as academy schools in England.

Advanced levels – A course normally taken by 16 to 18-year-olds in years 12 and 13 in secondary schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They are also offered around the world at international schools offering British curriculum. The first year is the AS year and the second year A2. Most pupils take three subjects which culminate in the final set of exams taken before leaving school. For more information, read our article on Further Education.

Advanced subsidiary levels – a qualification in its own right. Generally considered to be ‘half an A level’ although actually equivalent to 40 per cent. 

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music - the leading music examination board which oversees music examinations and the awarding of grades.

A system by which some state schools set an entrance examination and admit a range of applicants that mirrors the spread of results. Eg A quarter of places will go to applicants who scored above 70 per cent, a quarter of places to applicants who scored between 50 and 70 per cent, a quarter who scored between 30 and 50 per cent and a quarter who scored below 30 per cent. 

A type of school where pupils stay overnight in onsite accommodation called boarding houses. There are various types of boarding on offer at schools in the UK. Read more in our article on boarding schools.

Boarding Schools Association – an organisation representing most boarding schools (including state boarding schools) in the UK. The BSA is one of seven organisations affiliated to the Independent Schools Council – boarding.org.uk

Business and Technology Education Council – a vocational qualification usually taken in school years 12 and 13 instead of A levels. For more information, read our article on Further Education. 

Cognitive Abilities Test – a set of tests to determine ability and academic potential. Results can be used within schools for setting and monitoring performance, as well as as an admissions tool.

Combined Cadet Force – a youth organisation sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, subdivided into Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force sections. Often found as an extra-curricular option in private secondary schools. 

Common Entrance – an examination typically sat by children applying to a private secondary school at either 11+ or 13+. 
 

Church of England. 

Mainstream state school (primary or secondary) which is funded by the local authority. 

State funded secondary school in England and Wales that is not a selective grammar school. This includes the vast majority of secondary schools. ‘Comprehensive’ relates to its pupil intake. 

An alternative to university for school leavers that combines practical experience in the workplace alongside traditional learning in a formal setting and results in a degree. Read our article on Higher education for more information. 

A system occasionally found in all-through private schools, so called because it resembles the shape of a diamond. A coeducational intake at junior level is later separated into single sex teaching for girls and boys for at least the three secondary years leading up to GCSEs. While boys and girls are taught separately, pupils mix outside lesson time and for extracurricular activities. Lessons in sixth form are again coeducational. Schools which use the diamond structure include Berkhamsted School, New Hall School and The Grammar School at Leeds. 

Department for Education – a UK government department that is responsible for all children’s services and education in England. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland these are devolved issues and therefore handled by departments and agencies in their respective countries.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. A combination of various different activities, including demanding physical exercise, culminating in bronze, silver and gold awards. Undertaken by many teenagers who are offered it through school: dofe.org 

Design & Technology – academic study of the design, creation and manufacture of products. Offered at GCSE and A level in some schools. 

English as an additional language – the term describing pupils for whom English is not their first language. The UK government records and publishes the percentage of pupils at every state school who speak English as an additional language. Sometimes called English as a Second Language (ESL).

English baccalaureate – A set of eight academic subjects (selected from a possible nine) the UK government has chosen to prioritise in English state secondary schools.

A psychologist who specialises in child education and development. They are responsible for formally identifying issues to do with a child’s learning, behavioural or emotional development. An educational psychologist’s report can be key to getting a child extra help at school as well as an EHCP. For more information, read our article on educational psychologist assessments.

Education, Health and Care Plan – a formal document drawn up by local authority which specifies the nature of educational difficulties that a child may have and how schools should support the child. For more information, read our article on EHCPs.

The common name given to the examination sat by children to determine whether they are of the required standard to be admitted to an academically selective (state or private) secondary school.

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant – a trained member of staff, often a teaching assistant, who works closely with pupils to support their emotional development.

Found in schools which offer full boarding, an exeat is a weekend when the school shuts and boarding pupils go home. 

A type of financial award given at some traditional private schools. Typically less valuable and prestigious than a scholarship.

Extended Project Qualification – a sixth form qualification typically taken alongside A levels and comprising independent research and coursework.

Early Years Foundation Stage – including pre-school, nursery and reception classes.

A type of state school with a religious designation. Often linked to a particular place of worship. Some faith schools choose to admit a percentage of pupils according to their family’s faith-based participation. Read our article on faith schools to find out more.

See Further Education.

A type of boarding offered by some boarding schools. More flexible than full or weekly boarding, pupils who flexi board may only stay at schools a couple of nights a week, or on an ad hoc basis. Read our article on boarding schools to find out more.

A type of state school (free schools are academies) originally opened by a group of parents or a local organisation like a private school, charity, community or church group. 

Free school meals – available to state school pupils from households with low income or with a parent who receives state benefit. A school’s FSM percentage is used as an indicator of the social and economic mix of children attending the school.

A type of boarding offered by some boarding schools. It is the most traditional style of boarding although less prevalent than it once was. Full boarding pupils stay at school for the whole term, including weekends, with the exception of the half-term holiday and usually a couple of ‘exeat’ or long weekends. Read our article on boarding schools to find out more.

All post-16 courses and qualifications that are classed as lower than a degree (eg A levels, BTECs). Everyone in England must study FE until they are 18. Read our article on Further Education to find out more.

General Certificate of Secondary Education – public examination typically taken aged 16, at the end of Year 11, by children in schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and some private schools in Scotland.

Girls’ Day School Trust – a foundation of all-girls private schools and, with 24 schools, one of the largest private school groups in the UK. Now including two state school academies in Merseyside.

An academically selective state secondary school. Read our article on grammar schools to learn more.

Girls’ Schools Association – an organisation that represents many private girls’ schools in the UK. The GSA is one of seven organisations affiliated to the Independent Schools Council: gsa.uk.com

Scottish public exam, usually taken at age 17 or 18. Equivalent to A level exams in the rest of the UK. 

Any form of education that results in a level 4+ qualification. Typically an undergraduate degree from university. Read our article on Higher Education to find out more. 

The Heads’ Conference – previously the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference – a representative organisation for the headteachers of many of the UK’s leading private schools. The HMC is one of seven organisations affiliated to the Independent Schools Council: hmc.org.uk

Head of department – the teacher responsible for overseeing a school department.

The Independent Association of Prep Schools – an organisation representing many preparatory schools in the UK. IAPS is one of seven organisations affiliated to the Independent Schools Council: iaps.uk

International Baccalaureate – usually refers to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Studied for two years by 16 to 18 year olds, it is generally regarded as an alternative to A levels in the UK. Read our article on The International Baccalaureate.

Information and Communications Technology – more commonly referred to as computing or sometimes IT. 

International English Language Testing System – an English language test often required to study in English-speaking countries. Many UK private schools recruiting secondary aged pupils from overseas require a pass in this test to ensure their language skills are of the standard required to access the curriculum.

International GCSE – a qualification equivalent to normal GCSEs, offered in the UK and around the world by schools that follow the English curriculum.

See private schools – read our article on private schools.

In-Service Education and Training day – also known as teacher training days. Typically a day at the beginning of term when a school is closed for teacher training.

Independent Schools Association – an organisation representing many UK independent schools. Its members are typically, though not exclusively, smaller private schools. The ISA is one of seven organisations affiliated to the Independent Schools Council: isaschools.org.uk 

Independent Schools Council – an umbrella body which represents 1,500 private schools in the UK. Its member associations are the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference (HMC), Girls' Schools Association (GSA), Independent Associate of Prep Schools (IAPS), The Society of Heads, Independent Schools Association (ISA), Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) and Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA): isc.com

Independent Schools Examination Board – responsible for setting many of the admissions tests for private secondary schools, including Common Entrance (CE) and Common Pre-tests.

A group of eight private and highly prestigious top-ranking universities in the northeastern United States of America.

Often abbreviated to KS. The stages (1 to 5) of the national curriculum in England and Northern Ireland. For more information on the Key Stages in English schools, read our article on English primary schools and the National Curriculum and English secondary schools and the National Curriculum.

Local authority (formerly local education authority (LEA)) – the local government administration which oversees state education provision and other services for children.

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art – one of the UK’s leading performing arts colleges. LAMDA exams are performance and public speaking assessments for which many schools help prepare students.

Multi Academy Trust – an organisation that runs two or more academies (and Free Schools) in England. MATs are often keen to be seen to uphold a particular ethos across their schools and sometimes offer subjects not found in the National Curriculum. 

The school nurse or member of staff charged with overseeing the health of pupils. Usually a more significant figure at boarding schools.

Modern Foreign Language – typically French, Spanish and German. Learning a Modern Foreign Language forms part of the National Curriculum for Key Stages 2 and 3.

A type of education developed by Dr Maria Montessori that encourages independence of thought among children and involves developing their interests through activities rather than formal teaching. Typically found at nursery and pre-school. 

A set of subjects and standards used by schools to ensure children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach. It is compulsory for community schools to follow the National Curriculum but most other state and private schools choose to incorporate much of it into what they teach. For more information, read our article on English primary schools and the National Curriculum and English secondary schools and the National Curriculum.

Newly qualified teacher – a teacher in their first year of teaching.
 

A type of educational establishment for children who are not old enough to attend school. Often used as an umbrella term for structured group activity, education and care. Some nurseries will take children as young as six months old. Read our article about the different types of nursery.

Occupational therapist – a medical professional who works in schools or the local community helping children to improve their ability to take part in daily activities. Read more about Occupational therapists.

The government body that regulates public examinations in England. 

Office for Standards in Education – Inspects schools in England and publishes reports on them. Devolved powers elsewhere in the UK have similar systems for inspecting schools. Read our article on Ofsted.

Oxford and Cambridge. The UK’s two leading universities. See also Russell Group.

The care of pupils and the systems a school puts in places to support pupils’ personal and emotional wellbeing. 

Physical education – the school subject where children learn about physical health, exercise and sport. Usually different from timetabled sport or ‘games’. 

The preferred method in most pre-schools and primary schools for teaching the alphabet and reading to children. 

Post Graduate Certificate of Education – the most commonly held teaching qualification. Not legally required to teach in many UK state or private schools. 

A private school that educates children up to the age of seven or eight (year 2 or 3). Read our article on preps and pre-preps.

Preparatory school – a private school that typically educates children aged 7 to 11 or 13 (year 3 to year 6 or 8). The name comes from the school’s purpose: preparing children for entry into senior private school. Read our article on preps and pre-preps.

The title often given to the last year of nursery before child reaches the age of compulsory education and starts the first year of school – reception. Read more about nursery school in the UK.

A type of school which operates without state funding, relying on fees paid by families for their children to attend. Private schools are also called ‘independent schools’. Read our article on private schools. 

A type of ‘value-added’ measure that shows how much a secondary school has helped pupils improve (or progress) over the five year period from the end of primary school to receiving GCSE grades. Read our article on Progress 8 and Attainment 8.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic education – the school subject designed to provide pupils with a practical understanding of real life and work. Also known as PHE, PSE and a number of other similar names.

Parent-Teacher Association – a parents group typically found in state schools that helps organise events and supports the school in activities, outings and fundraising.

A term which traditionally refers to some of the UK’s oldest private schools for boys. It is occasionally used to mean any private school. Read our article on private schools.

Pupil teacher ratio – a measurement of the number of pupils in a school for every teacher

The name of the first year of compulsory formal education in an English school. Children typically start in reception the September after their fourth birthday. 

Roman Catholic. 

Religious education – sometimes called religious studies or divinity. 

Relationships and Sex Education – a compulsory subject taught in all secondary schools to educate children about relationships and sexual health. 

An organisation representing 24 of the UK’s leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge: russellgroup.ac.uk/about/ 

Standard attainment tests – tests taken by primary school children at the end of Key Stage 2 (year 6, aged 11+). There are also optional SATs at the end of Key Stage 1 (year 2, aged 7) which some schools choose to do. Read more about SATs in our article on English primary schools and the National Curriculum.

Scholastic Assessment Test – the admissions examination for entry into most US universities.

A term used to describe management of the safety and wellbeing of pupils in school. 

Special Educational Needs (and Disabilities) – a child or young person has special educational needs (and/or disabilities) if they have a learning difficulty that means they need special health and education support. 

(Also SENDCO) Special Educational Needs Coordinator - the teacher who is responsible for assessing, planning and monitoring the progress of children with special educational needs and disabilities (see SEN and SEND). Also called Head of Learning Support. Read more about SENCOs.

Speech and Language Therapist - a health professional who works with children who have language and communication difficulties. Read more about SaLTs

Senior leadership team – the most senior staff in a school. Typically includes governors and admin staff as well as teachers.

A type of school in the UK that is fully funded by the government. Encompasses numerous types of school including community, foundation, voluntary aided, academy and free schools as well as 163 academically selective grammar schools. More than 90 per cent of children in the UK attend a state school. 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

Teaching assistant. The trained member of staff who assists with lessons and also provides one-to-one attention to children who need additional help. See also ELSA.

An alternative to A levels offered at some schools involving developing technical skills and workplace-based learning. For more information, read our article on T Levels.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service – the government body which manages university and college applications and admissions in the UK: ucas.com

University Technical Colleges – a type of academy school for children aged 14 to 18 which typically provide a more technical education than other mainstream schools.

A measurement of academic performance which shows how much, on average, a particular school improves its pupils. See also Progress 8.

An optional extra provided by some schools that extends the school day both in the morning and the evening. Typically it includes a breakfast club and an after-school club.