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APPENDIX E
GLOSSARY TERMS
5-14 Programme
5-14 Programme is the programme of curriculum
development covering the 7 years of primary education and
the first 2 years of secondary.
Accreditation of Prior Experiential
LearningAPEL
The granting of credit towards a qualification in
Higher Education based on evaluation of the candidate's
previous experience and learning.
Accreditation of Prior LearningAPL
The granting of credit towards a qualification in
higher education based on evaluation of the candidate's
previous learning.
Additional Support NeedsASN
The term now used in Scotland instead of "Special
Educational Needs".
Assessment is for Learning AisfL
A major current programme to relaunch and promote
key principles and good practice in both formative and
summative assessment across primary and secondary
schools
Assessment of Achievement ProgrammeAAP
An annual survey of pupil attainment at ages 7, 11
and 14, which measures progress in English, mathematics and
general science in Scottish schools.
Assistant Head TeacherAHT
Formerly a promoted post in primary and secondary
schools carrying with it management responsibility. Now
replaced by a new depute head teacher role, more broadly
defined than the previous post of that name.
Assistant Principal TeacherAPT
Formerly the second in command in a large subject
department in a secondary school, or the head of a small
department, or a member of guidance staff. This post has
now been discontinued.
Association of Directors of Education in
ScotlandADES
The organisation of which the heads of the education
service in the local authorities are members. It provides a
forum for discussion and is a body which can discuss issues
with the Scottish Executive Education Department.
Association of Head Teachers in ScotlandAHTS
An association which represents the head teachers of
primary schools in Scotland.
Association of Scottish CollegesASC
The
ASC groups together the Principals of all the
further education colleges in Scotland.
Association of University Teachers
(Scotland)AUTS
Many university lecturers in Scotland belong to this
association, which is part of a wider
UK organisation representing university teaching
staff.
Bachelor of EducationBEd
A first degree offered by teacher training
institutions, which provide academic education and
professional training for primary teachers and some
teachers of physical education, music and technology.
British Broadcasting CorporationBBC
The national, publicly funded, broadcasting
authority in the United Kingdom.
Central Bureau for International Education and
TrainingCBIET
A
UK-wide organisation which arranges educational
visits and exchanges for teachers, students and other
educationists. It also operates an extensive
partner-finding service for educational establishments
covering all parts of the world.
Certificate of Sixth Year StudiesCSYS
The examination taken by some pupils in the final
year of (upper) secondary education. Now being replaced by
Advanced Higher examinations.
Chancellor
The honorary head of a University. He or she is
usually a distinguished person or a member of Royalty and
need not be an academic.
Chartered Teacher
A new career path for teachers who do not
wish to pursue a management post. Achievement of chartered
teacher status is through successful completion of a
modular based programme of study.
Committee of Scottish Higher Education
PrincipalsCOSHEP
The committee to which all Principals of Higher
Education in Scotland belong. It discusses matters of
common interest and common policies either in its main
committee or its sub-committees.
COSHEP was recently re-named Universities Scotland.
Communities ScotlandCS
Formerly known as the Community Learning Scotland,
this body was established in 2001 as an Executive Agency
with responsibility for supporting community learning and
development practice including professional training.
Continuing Professional DevelopmentCPD
CPD is concerned with supporting teachers' learning
throughout their careers.
Convention of Scottish Local AuthoritiesCOSLA
The body which represents local authorities in
Scotland and consults on behalf of the authorities with
central government on national issues.
Depute Head TeacherDHT
A member of the senior management team in a Scottish
school, carrying management responsibilities for various
aspects of the school's work and deputising for the head
teacher when necessary. (Formerly the second in command in
a school).
Devolved School ManagementDSM
Since April 1996 local authorities in Scotland have
been required to devolve at least 80% of available funding
to schools themselves, so that they may manage their own
budgets.
Education AuthoritiesEAs
Every one of the 32 local authorities in Scotland is
also an education authority for its area.
Educational Institute of ScotlandEIS
The largest of the Scottish teacher unions, with
members in both the school and the post-school sectors.
EURODESK
An information service, set up in 1990 within
Community Learning Scotland (
CLS) in order to keep schools, further
education colleges and youth and community groups well
informed about educational developments in the European
Union.
First Minister
The First Minister is appointed by
HM the Queen to lead the Scottish
Executive. He/she is normally the leader of the majority
party in the Scottish Parliament.
Further EducationFE
Post-school, mainly vocational education, offered
through 46
FE colleges, which are grant-aided,
directly or indirectly, by the Scottish Executive. The
funding agency set up by the Executive for this purpose is
known as the Scottish Further Education Funding Council (
SFEFC).
General Scottish Vocational QualificationsGSVQ
Basic vocational qualifications offered by Scottish
further education colleges.
General Teaching CouncilGTC
The body responsible for keeping a register of
teachers in public education in Scotland and advising the
Scottish Ministers on teacher education. All teachers in
public education must be registered with the
GTC.
Head TeacherHT
The head of any school in Scotland. The head
teachers of some secondary schools may also be known as
rectors.
Head Teachers' Association of ScotlandHAS
An organisation to which most secondary head
teachers in Scotland belong. It deals with national issues
as they affect schools and head teachers and also discusses
issues directly with the Scottish Executive Education
Department.
Higher EducationHE
In Scotland this term refers to the sector of
education which encompasses post-school courses at Higher
National Certificate and Diploma levels and degree and
post-graduate course levels. All
FE colleges as well as universities and
other
HE institutions offer higher education
courses of some kind.
Higher National CertificateHNC
A vocational certificate in higher education
involving at least 1 year of full-time post-school study,
sometimes 2 years. It is often taken part-time.
Higher National DiplomaHND
A vocational qualification in higher education which
is normally obtained following 2 or 3 years of full-time
study.
Highland School ServicesHPS
The
HPS provides training for pre-school
staff in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, just as the
Scottish Pre-school Play Association does in the rest of
Scotland.
Highlands and Islands EnterpriseHIE
The body set up by Government to encourage economic
development in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Like
Scottish Enterprise,
HIE is responsible for supporting a
number of Local Enterprise Companies, which include the
Careers Service for secondary schools among their
responsibilities.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of EducationHMIE
Her Majesty's InspectorsHMI
The national inspectors, who form an executive
agency of the Scottish Executive Education Department and
who visit and report on the performance of schools and
further education colleges. They also provide professional
advice to the Government on curriculum and standards in
education.
Independent Schools
The term used to describe private, fee-paying
schools in Scotland.
Individual Learning AccountsILA
ILAs were available in Scotland from
September 2000 to December 2001. They assisted people aged
18 and over to invest in their own learning, if they were
not already in full-time higher education or in receipt of
public funding for their learning. They had to contribute
£25 themselves and were then eligible to receive a further
sum up to £150. The
ILA successor scheme,
ILA Scotland, was launched on 13
December 2004.
Initial Teacher EducationITE
Often referred to also as Initial Teacher Training,
ITE is the study programme which
intending teachers must follow either in pursuit of a four
year Bachelor of Education degree to qualify for primary
teaching; or to achieve a Post-Graduate Certificate in
Education (
PGCE), Primary or Secondary, in one
year, after graduation from a university degree course. In
the case only of students at Stirling University, training
for teaching may be pursued simultaneously with a degree
course.
Integrated (formerly New) Community
Schools
The first Integrated Community Schools were set up
in 1999-2000. There is no single model for them. Most bring
several existing schools together to operate with a team of
professionals providing a range of services including
education, social work, family support and health
education.
International Relations UnitIRU
The unit responsible to the Scottish Executive's
Education Department and Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong
Learning Department for liaising on educational matters
with other countries in the European Union and beyond and
of which the Scottish Eurydice Unit is an integral
part.
learndirect scotland
The brand name for the Scottish University for
Industry (qv). There is a large number of 'learndirect
scotland' centres throughout the country offering
information, advice and contacts to individuals and
companies wishing to access education and training
opportunities.
Learning and Teaching ScotlandLTS
The national body formed in 2000 from the merger of
the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum (
SCCC) and the Scottish Council for
Educational Technology (
SCET), which took over all of the
functions of both.
Local Enterprise CompaniesLEC
The 22 Councils set up to liaise with industry and
arrange and provide vocational training in their particular
areas, covering the whole of Scotland. Most of the
LECs are supported by Scottish
Enterprise, the remainder by Highlands and Islands
Enterprise.
Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong
Learning
This is the Minister responsible to the Scottish
Executive for all post-school education and training and
for Enterprise in Education and Careers Guidance.
Modern Apprenticeships
In 1995 the Skillseekers programme was extended to
include Modern Apprenticeships, aimed primarily at 16-17
year olds to enable them to train for jobs at craft,
technician and trainee management levels. The training must
lead to a Scottish Vocational Qualification Level
III or above.
National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of
Women TeachersNAS/
UWT
One of the main teaching unions in the
UK but with a relatively small
membership in Scotland.
National CertificateNC,
The non-advanced post-school vocational certificate
awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (
SQA) (formerly
SCOTVEC) on the basis of a course
comprising a number of learning modules.
National Grid for LearningNGfL
The
NGfL is a Government initiative for
securing the benefits of advanced networked information for
education and lifelong learning. It offers high quality
learning material via the Internet for schools, colleges,
teachers and students. It also operates a programme to
deliver the infrastructure of cable and networks, hardware,
services and training.
National QualificationsNQ
A single unified system of National Qualifications
has now replaced the separate systems of academic and
vocational qualifications in Scotland which operated in
Scotland until 1999.
National Record of AchievementNRA
A record of achievement which records details of
qualifications and experiences of pupils gained at school
and beyond school. It has now been replaced by a Progress
File (or Pro-File).
National Training OrganisationsNTO
National Training Organisations form a
UK-wide network representing
occupational sectors. They have now replaced Industry Lead
Bodies, Occupational Standards Councils and Industry
Training Organisations. They are therefore national
strategic bodies responsible for identifying the skills,
education and needs of their respective sectors and for
maintaining standards.
National Vocational QualificationsNVQ
The vocational qualifications awarded in further
education and training in England and Wales.
New Deal
The New Deal is a Government initiative aimed at
helping the long-term unemployed back to work.
Open College
The
UK vocational education college which
operates by distance learning and on a similar basis to the
Open University.
Open UniversityOU
The United Kingdom University which operates through
distance learning but also brings students together for
seminars at different times throughout the year.
Parents' Charter
A Government document setting out the rights and
responsibilities of parents in Scotland, first published in
1991 and updated in 1995.
Parent-Teacher AssociationPTA
Many schools have
PTAs as well as, or instead of, School
Boards. They exist to work on behalf of or in support of
the school.
Parentzone
This website offers a broad range of information for
parents, carers and others responsible for school age
children about education in Scotland. The website also
produces a comprehensive list of links to useful
organisations and recent publications.
website -
www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk
Performance IndicatorsPI
Performance indicators, now often known as quality
indicators, are criteria which are used by educational
establishments themselves in self-evaluation and by
external evaluators, such as
HM Inspectors of Education, when judging
the quality of education offered.
Post-Graduate Certificate in EducationPGCE
The certificate awarded to intending teachers on
completion of a one-year course of post-graduate
professional training.
Primary 1P1
The first year of primary school education. The
years of primary education are normally referred to in
Scotland as P1 to P7.
Principal
The name given to the Head of a Further Education
College or Higher Education Institution.
Principal TeacherPT,
The name given to a member of middle management in a
Scottish school,
e.g., the head of a subject department or a
senior guidance teacher in a secondary school, or a
promoted teacher in a primary school who has some specified
responsibilities.
Professional Association of TeachersPAT
A teachers' union with members throughout the United
Kingdom.
Quality Assurance AgencyQAA
A
UK body set up to check that appropriate
quality assurance mechanisms are operating in all Higher
Education Institutions throughout the
UK. The
QAA now fulfils this function in
Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Higher Education Funding
Council.
Quality IndicatorsQI
Quality indicators (or performance indicators) are
used by all educational institutions in Scotland in the
process of self-evaluation and by external evaluators, such
as
HM Inspectors of Education.
Quality Initiative in Scottish SchoolsQISS
A programme designed to establish the
characteristics of effective schools, promote the best use
of school development plans and encourage the attainment of
higher standards.
Quality Standards and Audit DivisionQSAD
The former name of the unit within
HM Inspectorate of Education in
SEED responsible for analysing
information about the Scottish education system and
informing parents and others on trends. This unit is now
known as
HMIE Directorate 5.
Record of NeedsRoN
The record of the assessment made of a child with
additional support needs in his or her early years, setting
out the provision which should be made.
Rector
This term is used with two different meanings in
Scottish education:
a) it is the title sometimes given to the head
teacher of a secondary school;
b) it is the title of the Chairperson of the
University Court in the ancient universities, who is
elected by the student body.
Research Assessment ExerciseRAE
The assessment of the quality of research in Higher
Education Institutions in the United Kingdom, as a result
of which funding for research is distributed on a formula
basis.
Revenue Support GrantRSG
The sum of money allocated to local authorities by
the Scottish Executive to cover their statutory
obligations, not only in relation to education but also
housing, roads,
etc.
School Boards
A School Board, consisting of elected parent and
staff members, contributes to the running of a school and
provides a forum for parental views.
School Development PlanSDP
It is a statutory requirement that Scottish schools
each produce an annual School Development Plan stating the
school's aims, indicating the results of self-evaluation
and announcing what actions are to be taken to effect
improvement.
Scottish Catholic Education ServiceSCES
The Scottish Catholic Education Service concerns
itself with matters in Scottish education which affect the
Roman Catholic Church.
Scottish Centre for Information on Language
Teaching & ResearchSCILT
The
SCILT is based in the University of
Stirling. It provides information on the teaching of
languages other than English for the benefit of Scottish
educational institutions in all sectors of the education
system.
Scottish Certificate of EducationSCE
Formerly, the general name given to the leaving
certificate awarded at the end of compulsory (and
post-compulsory) schooling by the Scottish Qualifications
Authority. The certificate is now known as the Scottish
Qualifications Certificate (
SQC).
Scottish Community Education CouncilSCEC
Until recently, the body which had general
responsibility for promotion, development and oversight of
adult, youth and community education in Scotland. It is now
known as Community Learning Scotland (
CLS).
Scottish Consultative Council on the
CurriculumSCCC
Formerly, the body made up of teachers,
educationists and others who advised on the curriculum in
Scottish schools. It merged with the Scottish Council for
Educational technology (
SCET) in 2001 to form Learning and
Teaching Scotland (
LTS).
Scottish Council for Development and
IndustrySCDI
A broadly based body including industry, commerce,
trade unions, universities, colleges and the churches which
has the aim of creating a more prosperous Scotland. In this
capacity it has a considerable interest in enterprise
education.
Scottish Council for Educational
TechnologySCET
Former name of the national body set up to promote
effective learning in schools and colleges through the use
of new technology. It merged with the Scottish Consultative
Council on the Curriculum (
SCCC) in 2001 to form Learning and
Teaching Scotland (
LTS).
Scottish Council for Research in EducationSCRE
An independent national body which carries out
research on all aspects of education in Scotland, now
merged with the Faculty of Education, University of
Glasgow.
Scottish Council of Independent SchoolsSCIS
The body representing the majority of independent (
i.e. private) schools in Scotland
Scottish Credit Accumulation and TransferSCOTCAT
The scheme which was established to give a credit
rating to courses so that those who wish to take a degree
or other qualification may claim credit for courses which
they have already completed successfully. It has now been
renamed the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (
SCQF).
Scottish Credit and Qualifications
FrameworkSCQF
Formerly known as
SCOTCAT (qv), the Scottish Credit and
Qualifications Framework gives a credit rating to courses
in further and higher education.
Scottish EnterpriseSE
The body set up by the Government to promote
economic development in most of Scotland, to 'sell'
Scotland abroad and to encourage inward investment. The
rest of Scotland in respect of economic development is
covered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (
HIE). Scottish Enterprise supports the
Local Enterprise Companies, one of whose responsibilities
is the operation of the careers services for secondary
schools.
Scottish Examination BoardSEB
The body which until 31 March 1997 was responsible
for assessment and certification at school level in
Scotland. It has been superseded by the Scottish
Qualifications Authority (
SQA).
Scottish Executive Education DepartmentSEED
The Government Department within the Scottish
Executive which is responsible for pre-school and school
education in Scotland, as well as other portfolios such as
children, young people, social care, social work services,
tourism, culture and sport.
Scottish Executive Enterprise, Transport and
Lifelong Learning DepartmentSEETLLD
The Government Department within the Scottish
Executive which now is responsible for industrial
development, all post-school education and training,
Enterprise in Education and Careers Guidance.
Scottish Further and Higher Education
AssociationSFHEA
One of the unions which represents lecturers in
post-school education.
Scottish Further Education Funding CouncilSFEFC
The body set up in 1999 under the terms of the
Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 to
allocate funding to Further Education Colleges in
Scotland.
Scottish Further Education UnitSFEU
The centre for curriculum development in further
education in Scotland.
Scottish Group AwardsSGA
An arrangement whereby passes in examinations
administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (in
schools and further education establishments) are grouped
in order to provide entry qualifications to further courses
of study or training.
SGAs are not yet in widespread use.
Scottish Higher Education Funding CouncilSHEFC
The body set up under the Further and Higher
Education (Scotland) Act 1992 to allocate funding to Higher
Education Institutions in Scotland.
Scottish Joint Negotiating CommitteeSJNC
The body set up by the Secretary of State for
Scotland to determine salaries and conditions of service
for teachers in State schools. It was replaced by a new
statutory body in 2001: the Scottish Negotiating Committee
for Teachers (
SNCT).
Scottish Negotiating Committee for
TeachersSNCT
This is the body which took over responsibility in
2001 (from the Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee) for
the negotiation of the salaries and conditions of service
of teachers in Scotland.
Scottish Pre-school Play AssociationSPPA
The Scottish Pre-school Play Association is the
association which works to support playgroups, toddler
groups and under-fives groups in Scotland.
Scottish Qualification for HeadshipSQH
Prospective head teachers in Scotland are generally
expected to follow a course of study leading to the
SQH prior to appointment to a head
teacher post.
Website:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/education/sqh/
Scottish Qualifications AuthoritySQA
The Scottish Qualifications Authority came into
being on 1 April 1997 and replaced both the Scottish
Examination Board and the Scottish Vocational Education
Council.
Scottish Qualifications CertificateSQC
Formerly known as the Scottish Certificate of
Education (
SCE), the
SQC is a certificate awarded to pupils
in S4 - S6 on successful completion of examinations set by
the Scottish Qualifications Authority (
SQA).
Scottish School of Further EducationSSFE
The unit in the Faculty of Education of the
University of Strathclyde which provides training,
including courses leading to a Teaching Qualification for
lecturers in Further Education.
Scottish Secondary Teachers' AssociationSSTA
A teachers' union to which many secondary teachers
in Scotland belong.
Scottish University for IndustrySUfI
Launched in October 2000, the
SUfI is intended to act as a broker
bringing individuals or companies requiring education
and/or training together with organisations, such as
further and higher education institutions, that can provide
it. The
SUfI does not provide learning itself
but offers information, advice and contacts through
so-called 'learndirect scotland' centres.
Scottish Vocational Education CouncilSCOTVEC
The national body which, until 31 March 1997,
awarded vocational qualifications in Scotland. It has been
superseded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (
SQA).
Scottish Vocational QualificationsSVQ
Qualifications which relate to an individual's ability
to do a job and which are based on actual working practices
in workplace conditions. They are similar to National
Vocational Qualifications (
NVQ) awarded in other parts of the
United Kingdom.
Secondary 1S1
The fist year of secondary education which is
usually referred to in Scotland as
S1. The other years are referred to
similarly:
S2,
S3,
etc., up to
S6
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State for Scotland is a member of
the
UK Cabinet. His or her role is to act as
a link between the
UK Government and the Scottish Executive
and to represent Scottish interests in the Cabinet. The
Secretary of State is currently supported by a
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and works in close
co-operation with the Lord Advocate for Scotland.
Senior Teachers
A senior teacher was formerly one who was paid on a
higher scale and had normally certain specific
responsibilities for an aspect or aspects of the work of
the primary or secondary school. This post has now been
superseded.
Skillseekers
The Government-funded training programme for 16 and
17-year-olds in Scotland. It is managed and delivered by
Scottish Enterprise (
SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
(
HIE) through their network of Local
Enterprise Companies (
LEC).
Student Awards Agency for ScotlandSAAS
The body which operates the student allowance scheme
on behalf of the Scottish Executive.
Student Loan Scheme
Full-time Scottish domiciled and
EU students studying in Scotland are
entitled to free tuition and living costs support through
means-tested loans arranged by the Student Loan Scheme.
Teaching QualificationTQ
The qualification awarded by a teacher education
institution to a student who has successfully completed a
post-graduate certificate in education, a Bachelor of
Education degree, or a combined degree which includes study
of education and school experience. It entitles the student
to register with the General Teaching Council (
GTC) for Scotland.
Training for WorkTfW
TfW is the Scottish Executive's training
scheme for those aged 25 and over who have been unemployed
for six months or more.
Universities and Colleges Admissions
ServiceUCAS
The body which processes most applications for entry
to higher education institutions throughout the
UK, distributes them to individual
institutions, and enables candidates to apply to several
institutions on one application form.
Universities Scotland
This is the body which brings together all the
Principals of Scottish Higher Education Institutions.
Universities Scotland advises the Scottish Executive and
the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council on policy and
strategy for
HE.
University of the Highlands and IslandsUHI Millennium Institute
This is the first 'federal' university in the
UK. Based in Inverness the
UHI Millennium Institute links together,
by means of new information and communication technology,
the colleges which serve the Highlands and Islands of
Scotland.
Workers' Educational AssociationWEA
An adult education organisation founded after the
First World War to provide educational opportunities,
originally for those whose education had not extended
beyond the minimum school leaving age.
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