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.
P-S
Partnership Governors
Are appointed at foundation schools where the school has no foundation body.
Peripatetic Teacher
A teacher who teaches in a number of schools to give specialist instruction
Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
One of the routes into teaching. A PGCE can be studied full-time or part-time following the completion of a first degree.
Private Finance Initiative (PFI)
PFI is a way of funding public building through leasing arrangements with private firms. Private firms design, build and often manage new building programmes. The building is leased back to the public body, usually over a period of 20-30 years.
Professional Association of Teachers
One of the teaching unions.
Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC)
Annual survey completed by schools and collected by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The data collected are used to produce statistical information on schools.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Sometimes known as a Parent Staff Association. PTAs support schools through a variety of activities: raising funds for school activities, organising events for parents and children and supporting school trips and after-school clubs.
Pupil Referral Unit (PRU)
Are a type of school set up by a local authority. They provide education to pupils who may not otherwise receive a mainstream education. They are run by management committees with representatives from a range of bodies.
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
Is responsible for maintaining and developing the National Curriculum. It also regulates the organisations which award public examinations.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
QTS is awarded to teachers who have completed a programme of initial teacher training and met the required standards of knowledge and skills.
Quorum
The minimum number of members attending a meeting to ensure decisions can be made. For a governing body this is half the number of governors in post.
SATs
Standard Assessment Tests, also known as Key Stage Tests.
Schools Forum
All Local Authorities must have a schools forum which advises them on the allocation of funding to schools. Schools members (headteachers and governors) form the largest proportion of membership. Schools forums also have some decision making powers.
School Teachers’ Review Body
Provides recommendations to the Department of Children, Schools and Families on teachers’ pay.
Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)
All Local Authorities must have a SACRE which will provide advice on religious education in state maintained (except voluntary aided) schools and on collective worship in schools.
Self-Evaluation Form (SEF)
A form filled in by schools which is used by Ofsted as the starting point for an inspection. The form sets out what the school thinks of its own performance.
Serious Weaknesses
A school is described as having serious weaknesses by Ofsted after an unsatisfactory inspection report. See Special Measures.
Setting
A system of organising pupils into ability groups for particular subjects. Setting and streaming are not the same thing. See Streaming.
Severe and Profound (Severe and Complex) Needs
Children with multiple disabilities or conditions that massively restrict their everyday lives. Most are in special schools.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SEN refers to pupils who have special needs. Some pupils with SEN will have statements that set out what additional support they require.
Special Measures
A school is put into the special measures category after an unfavourable Ofsted report. A school in special measures has to produce an improvement plan and its progress will then be closely monitored by an HMI. Schools that fail to make sufficient progress can be closed. See Serious Weaknesses.
Special Schools
Schools which make special provision for pupils with statements of special educational needs. These may be state schools or independent schools. Some offer boarding provision. See MLD, EBD, Severe and Profound.
Specialist Schools
All maintained schools may apply for specialist status in specific areas of the curriculum.
Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT)
The SSAT is an independent charity that works with the government to support specialist schools and academies. The SSAT website can be found
>here<Standard Attainment Tests (SATs)
Tests given to pupils at the end of each key stage. At the end of each key stage pupils are expected to have reached certain levels of knowledge, skills and understanding in particular subjects.
Statementing
The formal process by which a pupil with significant special education needs is assessed. Once assessed the pupil will be provided with a statement of special education needs which will set out what support the school should provide.
Streaming
A system of organising pupils into classes according to their ability across a range of subjects. Setting and streaming are not the same thing.