Frequently Asked Questions - and Acronyms Guide
The NGA has produced this guide to help governors and others navigate
the complexities of the education world, with its specialist terms and
abbreviations.
E-I
Education Otherwise than at School
This is the term used for children who are not educated at school.
EBD (Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties)
Children with EBD may have a specific condition such as Autism or Asperger's Syndrome, or they may present behavioural problems because of difficulties in their home background. Some EBD children are taught in Special Schools.
Every Child Matters (ECM)
The Government’s over-arching policy in relation to children and young people. In particular all schools must work to achieved the five outcomes of ‘Every Child Matters’: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being.
Exclusion
The temporary or permanent removal of a pupil from a school. Temporary exclusion is sometimes described as a suspension.
Excellent Teacher Scheme (ETS)
Excellent teachers have a track record of teaching of the highest quality. They have a separate pay scale to other teachers and within their own school play a key role in developing both new and existing staff. Unlike Advanced Skills Teachers they do not operate outside their own school.
Extended Schools/Services
One of the main government initiatives to achieve the ‘ECM’ Agenda. All schools will have to provide access to the ‘core offer’ for extended services by 2010. The ‘core offer’ includes: access to childcare (primary schools), study support (primary & secondary), parenting support and community use of school facilities.
Financial Management Standards in Schools (FMSIS)
is a system for ensuring that schools have good financial management systems in place. Schools are assessed against a number of criteria. Secondary schools were required to meet the standard by March 2007 and primary, middle and secondary schools will have to meet the standard by 2010.
Foundation Schools
Local authority funded schools in which the governing body - or where the school has foundation, the foundation - owns the land, employs the staff and is responsible for admissions to the school.
Foundation governor
Are appointed to foundation schools with a foundation or voluntary aided schools by the body named in the school’s instrument of government. If the school has a religious character foundation governors must preserve and develop this.
Foundation stage
The curriculum followed by children below statutory school age in schools and pre-school provision.
GCSE
General Certificate of Secondary Education.
General Teaching Council England (GTCE)
The GTC(E) regulates the conduct and competence of teachers in England. All qualified teachers whose work falls within the remit of the GTCE must register with them. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate GTCs.
GNVQ
General National Vocational Qualification
Governor
Almost anyone can be a school governor. The key point is to have a real interest in the school and the community the school serves. Governors do not have to be education experts, but they do have to be willing to give a fair amount of time to the process. Governors are unpaid, though they can be paid expenses.
Governing Body
The corporate body with legal responsibility for a school. Individual governors cannot be held liable for decisions taken in good faith by their school governing body.
GovernorLine
Free telephone helpline for school governors - 08000 722 181
The GovernorLine website can be found
>here<GovernorNet
The Government website with information for school governors can be found
>here<Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
HLTAs work in the school alongside the teacher, providing support for teaching and learning activities. HLTAs may work across the curriculum or at act as specialist assistants for specific subjects or department. HLTA status is awarded by the Training and Development Agency for schools (TDA) to candidates who have shown they meet the professional standards for HLTA.
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI)
HMCI is the leader of Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted are responsible for inspecting all education and training for learners of all ages. It also inspects and regulates care fro children and young people.
Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI)
The lead inspector during a school ofsted inspection. Known colloquially as the ‘reggy’.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
A personalised education plan for pupils with special educational needs.
Information Communications Technology (ICT)
All catch-all term for all means of electronic communication; it includes computers, mobile phones, handheld devices, display boards and audio visual aids. See BECTA
Information for School and College Governors (ISCG)
An independent organisation which provides information and training for school and college governors.
Instrument of Government
A legal document setting out the name of the school and the constitution of the governing body.