Jargon Buster
There is a lot of jargon used in schools. If you have ever been confused what your child meant when they talked about KS1 or wondered what EYFS meant – hopefully this will help!
EAL - English as an Additional Language. Refers to children whose first language(s) is/are not English and who may not yet be speaking English fluently or even at all.
EYFS - Early Years Foundation Stage. A framework of care and education of children from birth to five years of age. (Our FS1 & FS2 classes.)
EWO - Education Welfare Officer. A person employed by the Local Authority to help parents and the Local Authority meet their statutory obligations in relation to school attendance.
FSM - Free School Meals. Pupils who are entitled to free school meals. The criteria for this has been set out by the local authority.
Genres - A type of text e.g. diary writing, non chronological reports, stories with a familair setting.
A, G & T - Able, Gifted and Talented. A register of provision for pupils identified as being gifted or talented.
ICT - Information Communication Technology. Refers to all resources and teaching related to IT. Includes the use of laptops, digital media, software and so on.
KS1- Key Stage One. Years 1 & 2.
KS2 - Key Stage Two. Years 3, 4, 5 & 6.
LA - Local Authority. Birchwood C of E is in the borough of Warrington.
NC - National Curriculum. A framework which sets out what pupils should be learning. Teachers plan and deliver lessons based on the National Curriculum.
MFL - Modern Foreign Languages. Refers to the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages such as French, German, Spanish. At Birchwood C of E, pupils learn French.
MDA - Midday Assistant. Members of staff who have responsibility for lunchtime.
PE – Physical Education. Refers to the teaching of physical education, including games, athletics, gymnastics, dance, swimming and outdoor adventurous activity.
PSHE – Personal, Social, Health Education. Lessons that focus on the personal, social and health education of pupils.
RE – Religious Education. The teaching of faiths and beliefs.
SATs – Statutory Assessment Tests. Assessments of pupils in reading, writing, maths and science carried out in Years 2 and 6. This is statutory and pupil results are submitted to the Local Authority.
SLT - Senior Leadership Team. The group of Senior Teachers who work together to lead our school.
TA – Teaching Assistant. Teaching Assistants work to support pupils. They work alongside class teachers