Jargon Buster
It’s amazing how the world keeps changing. A young person’s world today is likely to be very different from the world when we were young. And it will probably be different again in a few years from now.
We recognise that you may not be familiar with some of the words and phrases we use on this website or even the words or phrases used on some of the other websites we link to.
The ‘jargon buster’ (below) tries to provide short explanations of some the terms you might come across.
If there is a particular word or phrase relating to your son or daughter’s learning or career plans that you don’t understand then why not let us know. We will do our best to add it to the list and provide a short explanation.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
A Level
Advanced (A) and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level examinations, usually taken at ages 17 to 19.
Academic Year
The year according to schools and colleges runs from September/October to July.
Assessment
The method of grading and evaluating work undertaken on a course. Can include exams and course work.
Awards
A term used for qualifications (Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees etc).
B
Bursaries (and scholarships)
Bursaries and scholarships are extra sources of financial help available from colleges and universities. They’re paid on top of any Student Loans or grants your son/daughter may get. Bursaries and scholarships don’t have to be paid back.
C
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Child and adolescent mental health services promote the mental health and psychological well-being of children and young people.
Common Assessment Framework (CAF)
The CAF is a standardised approach to the assessment of any additional needs a young person might have and deciding how those needs should be met.
Curriculum
A programme of study.
D
Diploma
The Diploma is a new qualification available in some schools from September 2008. (From 2012, Diplomas will be available to all 14 – 19 year olds.)
It combines classroom learning, creative thinking and hands-on experience.
E
Educational Psychologist
Expert who works with children who have behavioural or learning difficulties.
Every Child Matters
The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:
- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve
- Make a positive contribution
- Achieve economic well-being
Extra Curricular Activities
Educational opportunities provided by a school outside the formal taught curriculum.
F
Further Education
Education that continues after statutory school leaving age (16 years). Can lead to higher education studies at age 18.
G
GCSE
General Certificates of Secondary Education are the examinations of basic secondary education generally taken by 16 year olds.
Graduate
A person who has been awarded a higher education degree from a university or college.
Grants
Maintenance Grants and Special Support Grants help young people with accommodation and other living costs while they’re on a full-time higher education course. These grants don’t have to be paid back.
H
Hall/Accommodation Fees
Hall fees cover the cost of providing students with university/college accommodation. Hall fees usually include utility bills and in some cases meals.
Higher Education
Education for people aged 18 and over, who have the relevant qualifications and experience to study for a degree, diploma or other qualification.
I
J
K
Key Stages
The National Curriculum is organised into blocks of years called 'key stages'. There are four key stages from age 5 to 16:
| Key Stage |
School Year |
Age |
| Key Stage 1 |
Year 1 |
5-6 |
| Year 2 |
6-7 | |
| Key Stage 2 |
Year 3 |
7-8 |
| Year 4 |
8-9 | |
| Year 5 |
9-10 | |
| Year 6 |
10-11 | |
| Key Stage 3 |
Year 7 |
11-12 |
| Year 8 |
12-13 | |
| Key Stage 4 |
Year 9 |
13-14 |
| Year 10 |
14-15 | |
| Year 11 |
15-16 |
L
M
Modular Course
A course comprising of a number of parts or modules, from which participants may be able to choose which to study.
N
O
The Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)
The Office for Standards in Education is designed to raise standards in British schools & colleges through regular inspections.
P
Portfolio
A collection of examples of work.
Post 16
Phase of education after compulsory school age (16 years).
Pupil Referral Unit (PRU)
An establishment for pupils who would otherwise not attend school, perhaps for reasons of disruptiveness or truancy.
Q
R
S
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
A child or young person who finds it more difficult to learn than most children or young people of the same age.
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
Teacher in a school who co ordinates the provision for children and young people with SEN.
Standard Assessment Tests/Tasks (SATs)
National tests and tasks to ascertain the level of attainment reached by pupils at the key stages of the National Curriculum.
Statement of Special Educational Needs
A document that sets out a child's needs and the extra help he or she should get.
Student Loans
These are loans that are available from the government to help students through their studies. These are re-payable but not normally until the student has left their course and is earning a set amount of money.
T
Tuition Fees
Universities and colleges charge tuition fees in order to cover the costs associated with teaching students. Tuition fees vary depending on your year of entry, course and duration of study.
U
Undergraduate
A student studying either a bachelor’s degree [eg BA or BSc] or a Foundation Degree.
Universities and Colleges' Admissions Service (UCAS)
Universities and Colleges' Admissions Service is the organisation which handles university applications.
V
W
Work-based learning (WBL)
Work-based learning provides on-the-job training and also the opportunity to gain qualifications such as NVQs. Many young people on work-based learning receive a wage or a training allowance.
X
Y
Young Offender Institute (YOI)
Young offender institutions are prisons that accommodate 15-20-year-olds who have been sentenced or remanded by the courts. The aim of a YOI is to help offenders prepare for their return to the outside community.
Z
If there is a particular word or phrase relating to your son or daughter’s learning or career plans that you don’t understand then ask us using the form below. We will do our best to add it to the list and provide a short explanation.
