St Gregory’s Primary School

Jargon Buster

Glossary of common education and related terminology.


CEOPS – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency

CPD – Continual Professional Development – Enhancing staff, knowledge, skills and understanding. 

DCC – Dorset County Council

DSCP – Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership

DSL – Designated Safeguarding Lead

DDSL – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

DfE The Department for Education – They responsible for education and children’s services in England.

EHCP – Educational, Health & Care Plan – is a plan for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support. EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs.

ELSA – Emotional Literacy Support Assistant

EWO – Education Welfare Officer – Person employed by the Local Authority to help parents and the LA meet their statutory obligations in relation to school attendance.

EYFS – Early Years Foundation Stage – A framework for care and education of children from birth to five years of age.

FSM – Free School Meals

ICT – Information and Communication Technology

IEP – Individualized Education Program – The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel, and students (when appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for children with disabilities. The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability.

INSET – In-Service Education and Training – Training for teachers which takes place during the school year.

KS1 – Key Stage 1 – 5-7 years old

KS2 – Key Stage 2 – 7-11 years old

LA – Local Authority

NQT – Newly Qualified Teacher

OfstedThe Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills is an independent organisation, which reports directly to Parliament. Ofsted inspects and regulates services, which care for children and young people and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.

Ofsted sets out to raise standards in British schools through regular inspections.

PE – Physical Education

PEEP – Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan – is a bespoke “escape plan” for individuals who may have difficulties evacuating a building to a total place of safety without support or assistance from others.

PP – Pupil Premium

PSHE – Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

RSE – Relationship & Sex Education

PTFA – Parents, Teachers and Friends Association

RE – Religious Education

SATs – Standard Attainment Tests/Tasks – National Curriculum Tests and Tasks which take place at the end of Key Stage 1 and at the end of Key Stage 2.

SEN – Special Educational Needs Provision – Support for pupils with learning difficulties.

SENDCO – Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator

SENSS – Special Educational Needs Support Service

SIAMS – Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools

TA- Teaching Assistant

VA- Voluntary Aided – A voluntary aided school (VA school) is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust (usually a religious organisation), contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school.