MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!!

Navigating the world of education can be overwhelming, especially when you’re bombarded with a constant stream of acronyms and abbreviations. As both educators and parents, we understand the struggle of trying to make sense of these terms, especially when they pop up in official meetings. It’s easy to zone out while you’re still trying to figure out what something like “OFQUAL” means! Unfortunately, this shorthand has become part of the educational landscape that we’ve all learned to navigate. But honestly, sometimes you have to wonder—are these acronyms even easier to say? In this section, we’ll break down some of the most common terms to help you better understand the language of education.

  • ACES: Adverse Childhood Experiences
  • ADHD: Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder
  • AO: Awarding Body
  • AP: Alternative Provision
  • ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • BSL: British Sign Language
  • BOSS: Behaviour Outreach Support Service
  • BP: Behaviour Plan
  • CAMHS: Child Adolescent Mental Health Services
  • CSE: Child Sexual Exploitation
  • CCE: Child Criminal Exploitation
  • DLA: Disability Living Allowance
  • EHC: Educational Health and Care 
  • EHCP: Education and Health Care Plan
  • EOTAS: Education Other Than At School 
  • EOTAC: Education Other Than at College
  • ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • EP: Educational Psychologist 
  • EQA: External Quality Assurance
  • HI: Hearing Impairment
  • IEP: Individual Education Plan
  • ILP: Individual Learning Plan
  • IQA: Internal Quality Assurance
  • LA: Local Authority
  • MLD: Moderate Learning Difficulties 
  • MSI: Multi Sensory Impairment
  • NEET: Not in Education, Employment or Training
  • ODD: Oppositional Defiance Disorder
  • OFSTED: The Office Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills
  • OFQUAL: The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation
  • OT: Occupational Therapy 
  • PECS: Picture Exchange Communication System (communicating with the aid of pictures)
  • PEX: Permanent Exclusion
  • PD: Physical Disability
  • PDA: Pathological Demand Avoidance
  • PMLD: Profound, Multiple Learning Difficulties
  • PRU: Pupil Referral Unit
  • QB Test: Quantified Behavioural Test
  • SALT: Speech and Language Therapy
  • SEMH: Social, Emotional, Mental Health 
  • SEND: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
  • SEN: Special Educational Needs
  • SENCO: Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (this person is based in an educational setting)
  • SLCN: Speech, Language and Communication Needs
  • SLD: Severe Learning Difficulties 
  • SLT: Senior Leadership Team
  • SpLD: Specific Learning Difficulties
  • VI: Visual Impairment

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