Jargon busting

As much as we try not to use acronyms or abbreviations in our documents and letters to parents/carers, they can sometimes creep in. We are also conscious that documents from the Department for Education and Ofsted often contain shortened versions of words and phrases which are common within education, but you may not come across outside the sector.

To address this and help readers to understand these documents, you will find a list of common acronyms and abbreviations below. If we have missed any, please don't hesitate to ask.

AfL	Assessment for Learning
APP	Assessing Pupil Progress (Based on rigorous teacher assessment. Gathering evidence from various sources and putting together to make a judgement about pupil.)
APS	Average Points Score
ASP	Analyse School Performance - Provides detailed performance data for schools
BNTO	Be Nice To Others - An anti-bullying committee named by our children and run by our children with staff and a governor
CAMHS	Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service
CL	Communication & Language (Early Years)
CPD	Continuing Professional Development
DfE	Department for Education
DPS	Deanshanger Primary School
DT	Design and Technology
DBS	Disclosure and Barring Service (Formerly CRB check)
DHT	Deputy Head Teacher
EAL	English as an Additional Language
EHCP	Education, Health and Care Plan - for young people who have additional needs
EP	Educational Psychologist
EWO	Education Welfare Officer (deals with poor attendance)
EYFS	Early Years Foundation Stage
FGB	Full Governing Body
FS	Foundation Stage
FFT	Fischer Family Trust - provides estimates for UK schools, teachers and governors to support effective target setting and evaluation
G&T	Gifted and Talented - now most often called ' Most Able'
H&S	Health & Safety
HT	Head teacher
ICT	Information & Communication Technology
IEP	Individual Education Plan
INSET	In-service Training
KS1	Key Stage One – Years 1 & 2
KS2	Key Stage Two – Years 3,4,5 & 6
KUW	Knowledge and Understanding of the World (Early Years)
LA	Local Authority - for our school this is Northamptonshire
LAC	Looked After Child
LSA	Learning Support Assistant
MAT	Multi Academy Trust
MMS	Midday Meal Supervisor
Ofsted	Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills
PCSO	Police Community Support Officer
PD	Physical Development (Early Years)
PE	Physical Education
PEP	Personal Education Plan
PP	Pupil Progress
PPA	Planning, Preparation & Assessment time (for teachers)
PSED	Personal Social Emotional Development ( Early Years)
PSHE	Personal Social Health Education
PTA	Parent and Teacher Association
RE	Religious Education
SA	School Action (SEN pupil with Outcome Plan)
SALT	Speech and Language Therapist
SATs	Standard Attainment Tests ( A statutory assessment in year 2 and year 6)
SEAL	Social-Emotional Aspects of Learning
SEF	Self Evaluation Form
SEND	Special Educational Needs and Disability
SENCo	Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
SFVS	School Financial Value Standard
SIP	School Improvement Plan
SLT	Senior Leadership Team
SMSC	Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural
TA	Teaching Assistant ( At DPS, we use the term LSA - Learning Support Assistant)
TLR	Teaching and Learning Responsibility
UW	Understanding of the World (Early Years)
VA	Value Added
VCOP	Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers and Punctuation
VLE	Virtual Learning Environment