Sometimes, education professional can use acronyms that can be confusing.

Here are some common acronyms you may come across. 

ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD - Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

AfL -  Assessment for Learning

AHT - Assistant Head Teacher

AP - Alternative Provision (eg a PRU)

APP - Assessing Pupil Progress

APS - Average points score

ARE -  Age-related expectations

BESD - Behavioural Emotional & Social Difficulties

CAF -  Common Assessment Framework

CLA  - Children looked After, or Children in Care = ChICs

CP - Child Protection

CPD - Continuing Professional Development

CRB - Criminal Records Bureau (now DBS)

DBS - Disclosure and Barring Service

DfE - Department for Education (since May 2010)

DFC - Devolved Formula Capital

DHT - Deputy Headteacher

DT - Design and Technology

EAL - English as an additional language

EBD - Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties

EHCP - Education, Health and Care Plans
(replacing statement of SEN from Sept 2014)

EWO - Education Welfare Officer

EYFS - Early Years Foundation Stage

FSM - Free School Meals

G&T - Gifted and Talented

GB - Governing Body (or Board)

GTP - Graduate Teacher Programme

H & S - Health and Safety

HLTA - Higher Level Teaching Assistant

HR - Human Resources

HT -  Headteacher

IBP -  Individual Behaviour Plan

ICT - Information and Communications Technology

INSET - In-Service Education and Training

ITT - Initial Teacher Training

KS1, 2, 3, 4     Key Stage 1, 2, 3, 4
(KS1 age 5 – 7 “Infants”, KS2 age 7 – 11 “Juniors”, KS3 age 11- 14, KS4 age 14 -16)

LA - Local Authority

LAC - Looked after Children (also known as Cared for Children, or Children in Care)

LADO - Local Authority Designated Officer 

NC - National Curriculum

NCTL - National College for Teaching & Leadership (Previously NCSL – National College for School Leadership)

NOR -  Number (of pupils) on Roll

NQT - Newly Qualified Teacher

NUT -  National Union of Teachers

OFSTED - Office for Standards in Education

PE - Physical Education

PGCE - Post Graduate Certificate of Education

PPA - Planning, Preparation and Assessment

PRU - Pupil Referral Unit

PSCHE - Personal, Social, Citizenship & Health Education

PSHE - Personal Social Health Education (also PSCHE including citizenship)

QCA - Qualification and Curriculum Authority

QTS - Qualified Teacher Status

SENCO - Special Educational Needs Coordinator

SEND - Special Educational Needs & Disability

SFVS - Schools Financial Value Standard

SIC - Statement of Internal Control

SIP -  School Improvement Plan

SLT -  Senior Leadership Team

SMSC - Spiritual moral social and cultural

SPAG - Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (alternatively, GAPS)

SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulties

TA - Teaching Assistant

UPN - Unique Pupil Number