Glossary of Terms
A : B : C
: D : E : F : G
: H : I : K :
L :
N
: O : P : Q
: S : V : W
: Y
Academy
Academies are publicly funded independent secondary schools with sponsers
from the private or voluntary sectors, or from church or other faith groups.
They provide free education to the local community.
A Level GCE (General and Applied)
A 2 year course consisting of 4 or 6 units of work (called modules) 3 at AS
level and 3 at A2 level. Some subjects offer double awards. The module tests
can be taken in January or June. A module may consist wholly or partly of
coursework. Pass grades are A to E
AS Level
First year of an A level course consisting of 2 or 3 modules. The modules can
be cashed in to give an AS qualification or count as 50% of an A level. Module
tests can be retaken to improve grades.
A2 Level
Second year of an A level course consisting of 2 or 3 modules. Modules can
be retaken to improve grades.
Vocational A level
AVCE (Advanced Vocational Certificate
of Education).
Advanced Extension Awards
Advanced Extension Awards are designed to stretch the most able and are available
in most subjects. Roughly 10% of A Level students throughout the country
will sit these.
A Level Points Score
Each pass grade is awarded points:
A = 120 points
B = 100 points
C = 80 points
D = 60 points
E = 40 points.
Universities may offer places on the basis of a candidate’s total point
score for example an offer based on 240 points could be made up of three C
grades or an A, C and an E grade.
All-ability / Comprehensive
School
Schools that admits pupils regardless of their academic ability.
Apprenticeships
Learning through working with an employer and a training provider. Apprenticeships
at foundation level take at least 18 months and lead to NVQ level 2. Advanced
Apprenticeships take at least 24 months and lead to NVQ level 3.
AVCE (Advanced Vocational
Certificate of Education)
This is a 'vocational' A level. The same standard
as an A level qualification with a focus on the application
of the theory. A 'full' 12 unit qualification will result in two A level
grades. A single 6 unit qualification will result in one A level grade.
Graded A to E. Has more emphasis on coursework than most GCE A levels.
BTEC National
It is possible to take a BTEC National course and achieve an Award (6 units),
Certificate (12 units) or Diploma (18 units) depending on the number of units
taken.
CDT
Craft, Design and Technology.
CLAIT 2 (Computer Literacy and Information
Technology)
An updated computer skills course based around Microsoft Office software. Certificated
by OCR examination board from Level 1 through to Level 3.
Common Application
Form
The application form that everyone will complete with their six secondary
schools preferences. Although all applicants will complete the form issued
by the LEA in which they live (the home LEA), the information
requested on all forms will be very similar.
Community
Service
Helping elderly people
and others in need.
Community
School
Schools built, maintained and staffed by a local education authority, the
full cost falling on public funds.
Curriculum
The total programme of work and activities of a school to meet the pupils' needs.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Bronze, Silver and Gold Award scheme, for young people aged 14-24, involving
demonstration of commitment and competence in developing skills, community
service, physical recreation and an expedition.
(see Duke
of Edinburgh's Award pages).
ECDL (European Computer
Driving Licence)
European wide basic computer skills course managed by the British Computer
Society.
Extra-Curricular
Activities that schools arrange outside the requirements of the curriculum.
Will include after-school clubs, residential visits and so on.
Foundation School
School maintained by the LA, but where the governing body holds the site and buildings in trust, and employs the staff. The governing body is the admissions authority.
GCSE (General and Applied)
General Certificate of Education. Pass Grades A* to G. Double awards count
as 2 GCSE qualifications.
GCSE, Vocational/Applied
GCSE course with an emphasis on the application of theory and skills to
the world of work. Grades A* to G. Double award counts as two GCSE qualifications.
70% coursework. Subjects currently offered are Art and Design, Applied
Business, Engineering, Applied Information and Communication Technology,
Applied Science, Leisure and Tourism and Manufacturing.
GNVQ (General National
Vocational Qualification)
Designed to provide a broad education as a foundation for training leading
to employment, and for further and higher education.
Courses focuses on the application of theory and the development of general vocational
skills. The qualification may be equivalent to either 2 or
4 GCSEs and
be awarded at Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Home LA
Your home LA is the Local Authority in which you live. This may be different from the LA in which your child goes to school. It is usually the Council to which you pay council tax.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
This is a Level 3 Qualification requiring the study of 6 subjects, 3 at standard
level and 3 at advanced level. All students must study English, Maths and
a Foreign Language alongside 3 subjects of their own choosing. Students must
also undertake Community Service and Skill Development.
ICT
Information and Communications Technology.
Key Skills
Six key skills are recognised: Communication, Application of Number, Information
Technology, Problem Solving, Working with Others and Improving your own Learning
and Performance. The first three key skills are accredited through coursework
and examination at Levels 1,2 and 3. The Level 3 qualification earns 20 points
in the UCAS tariff system
(see A level
Point Score).
KS (Key Stage)
A period of study relating to a particular age group. Key Stage 3 covers
school Years 7-9 (ages 12-14) and Key Stage 4 covers school Years 10-11
(ages 15-16). At the end of each Key Stage, parents will receive a formal
assessment of their child's achievement in terms of the National
Curriculum.
Looked After Children
A looked after child is in the care of a local authority or has been provided
with accomodation, for example a foster placement, by a local authority.
National Curriculum
The core and foundation subjects compulsory at various ages as set out
in legislation: English, maths, science, history, geography, art, a modern
foreign language, technology, music, physical education, ICT
and citizenship.
National Record of Achievement
A set of reports reflecting a pupil's achievements, including a self-assessment
by the pupil.
NVQ (National Vocational Qualifications)
Qualifications in specific vocational skills relevant to particular jobs ranging
from level one (5 GCSE’s at grade D – G) to level five (degree
level). Qualifications are awarded through the assessment of competency in
the place of work.
Ofsted
Initials stand for Office for Standards in Education. Responsible for inspecting
schools and reporting on the strengths and weaknesses of schools. A copy
of the most recent Ofsted report for each school is available for reference
in the Central Library
in Bexleyheath Broadway or from Ofsted's website ![[External link]](../../images/extlink.gif)
www.ofsted.gov.uk.
Options
Subject choices that pupils study in Years 10 and 11 in preparation for
public examinations.
Pastoral Care
Arrangements for
the welfare of individual pupils and the provision of the support which fosters
all aspects of pupil learning and achievements.
PRU
Pupil Referral Unit. A special unit providing
support for pupils who are out of school and/or experiencing difficulties,
including pupils who have been excluded.
PSE/PSHE/PHCSE
Lessons in Personal and Social Education / Personal, Social and Health
Education / Personal, Health, Citizenship and Social Education.
PTA, PSA
Parent-teacher association or parent-staff association of the parents and
teachers or staff of a school.
Qualifications
The table below outlines the National Framework for Qualifications showing
the equivalent between General, Vocational and Occupational qualifications.
| Framework Level |
Level Indicators |
General |
Vocationally Related |
Occupational |
| Entry |
Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the
ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or
supervision. Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge
and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations. |
Skills for Working Life
Entry to Employment |
| Level 1 |
Level 1 qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the
ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision. Learning at this
level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and
may be linked to job competence. |
GCSE grades D-G |
GNVQ Foundation
BTEC Introductory |
NVQ Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge
and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform
varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level
involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work
or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles. |
GCSE grades A*-C |
BTEC First
City & Guilds |
NVQ Level 2
Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme |
| Level 3 |
Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant
apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this
level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate
for people wishing to go to university. |
AS & A2 A levels
Advanced Extension Awards |
Vocational A levels
(AVCEs)
Advanced
GNVQs
BTEC National Diplomas |
NVQ Level 3
Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme |
A Handful of level 4 courses are available in Bexley Schools in year 13 / 14. Please see each individual school prospectus.
School DCSF Number
A unique identification number allocated to each school by the Department
for Education and Skills. The Common Application Form
asks you to enter the DCSF number for your preferred schools in order to
avoid any possible confusion between schools with similar names.
Selective
School
Schools that admits only pupils who have been deemed selective.
Often known as Grammar Schools. Bexley also has a school that admits
both selective and non-selective pupils. This school (Erith)
is called a bilateral school.
SEN/SENCO
SEN stands for Special Educational Needs. This covers a wide range of learning
difficulties, including pupils who learn more slowly, those with behaviour
difficulties, a hearing loss or physical difficulty, and so on. The Special
Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is the teacher responsible for making
sure arrangements are made in school for these pupils.
Setting
The teaching of pupils in groups ('sets') according to their attainment
in a particular subject.
Sports Leadership Awards
Run at 3 levels and certificated by the British Sports Trust.
The Sports Leadership Award (SLA) is a course for people over 14 to develop
sports leadership skills.
The Community Sports Leadership Award (CSLA) is a course for people over 16,
designed to develop practical leadership skills to organise groups in games
and physical recreation.
The Higher Sports Leadership Award (HSLA) is for those over 16 to enable them
to develop skills at a higher level.
Streaming
The teaching of pupils in groups according to their general ability rather
than in different groups set subject by subject.
Voluntary Aided School
Schools provided by a voluntary body, usually a religious organisation,
but maintained by a local education authority. The governors are responsible
for providing the premises, the maintenance of the fabric of the school,
and the appointment and dismissal of staff.
Work Experience
Arrangements made under carefully-controlled conditions for pupils in Year
10 and upward to work with local firms and gain experience of the disciplines
and relationships encountered at work.
Year 7
The first year of
secondary education. Year groups follow through secondary schools until Year
11, when pupils take GCSE examinations.
Years 12-13
Otherwise known as the Sixth form.
Young Enterprise
National education charity that runs programmes for youngsters to learn by running
their own company using support from business.
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