When you’re a teacher, acronyms are your best friend. There are so many of them, and they can mean different things in different contexts. In this blog post, we will discuss the 5 most popular teaching acronyms and what they mean. This information will help you better understand the inner workings of the education system!
Related: For more, check out our article on The 10 Acronyms ECT Need To Know here.
Teaching Acronyms:
LSP
If you’ve ever been in a school, you’ve probably heard of the term “IEP.” But what about “LSP?” No, it’s not an abbreviation for a delicious sandwich ( although that would be amazing). LSP stands for Learning Support Plan. Learning support plans are used in schools to help children with additional needs be given the care they need.
It is similar to an IEP (Individual Education Plan), but LSPs can be given to any student in the school to support them. So if there are children in your class struggling, ask your SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) about getting an LSP! It could be just the thing they need to get back on track.
EHCP
When it comes to attending school, all children are equal. However, some children may have additional needs that require extra support from teachers and school staff. These children have what is known as an Educational Health Care Plan, or EHCP for short.
Children with an EHCP are those who have been diagnosed with additional needs, such as a learning disability, autism, or ADHD. As a result, they may require specialized education and/or health care services to be successful in school.
Luckily, schools are required by law to provide the necessary services and support for these students. That means that if your child has an EHCP, you can rest assured knowing that their school will do everything possible to help them succeed.
Related: For more, check out our article on Teaching Acronyms Explained here.
PPA
As any teacher knows, PPA is essential to a well-run classroom. It’s the time when we get to catch up on our planning, prepare for upcoming lessons, and assess student progress. Of course, it’s also the time when we can grab a quick cup of coffee or answer some emails.
Let’s be honest, PPA is the only time during the school day when we can actually get some work done! But seriously, PPA is important because it allows us to make sure we are always moving forward in our instruction.
Plus, it gives us a chance to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t. So even though PPA can sometimes feel like a break from the action, it’s really an essential part of the teaching process.
Related: For more, check out our article on Questions To Ask Yourself As A Teacher here.
PPM
Pupil Progress Meetings, or PPMs, are a crucial part of the teaching process. In these meetings, teachers meet with senior leadership to discuss how pupils in their classes are progressing. It’s an opportunity to get support for children who are struggling and highlight any issues they may be having. PPMs can be a bit of a minefield, though.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re preparing for your next meeting:
1. Make sure you have all the relevant data. Whether it’s test scores, grades, or simply observations from class, you’ll need to be able to back up your points with evidence.
2. Be prepared to answer tough questions. The senior leadership team will want to know why certain pupils are struggling and what you’re doing to help them.
3. Be confident in your recommendations. If you suggest a course of action, be prepared to justify it.
4. Don’t forget the positives! It’s easy to focus on the negatives, but remember to mention any pupils who are doing well too.
5. And finally, stay calm and professional at all times. PPMs can be stressful, but try to keep your cool and present your case in a clear and reasoned manner. Good luck!
ECT
ECT. It sounds like a disease, doesn’t it? Something you would go to the doctor for and be given a strict regimen of pills and serum injections. And in a way, it kind of is. Early Career Teacher is the name given to those of us who are in our first two years of teaching. We’re the newbies, the greenhorns, the babies.
We’re thrown into the deep end of the pool and told to swim. And sometimes, we do sink. But most of the time, we figure it out. We learn how to tread water, how to keep our heads above water, and how to make our way to shore. We learn from our mistakes and we get better every day.
And one day, we’ll look back at our time as an ECT and laugh at how hard it was. But we’ll also remember how rewarding it was to help our students grow and learn. So if you’re an ECT, just hang in there. It’s tough but it’s worth it.
FAQ
Q: What is an EHCP?
A: An EHCP is a document that outlines the special educational needs of a child and the services and support they are entitled to receive.
Q: What does PPA stand for?
A: PPA stands for Planning, Preparation, and Assessment. It is a time set aside during the school day for teachers to catch up on their planning, prepare for upcoming lessons, and assess student progress.
Q: What is a PPM?
A: A PPM is a Pupil Progress Meeting. In these meetings, teachers meet with senior leadership to discuss how pupils in their classes are progressing.
Q: What does ECT stand for?
A: ECT stands for Early Career Teacher. This is the name given to those of us who are in our first two years of teaching. We’re the newbies, the greenhorns, the babies. We’re thrown into the deep end of the pool and told to swim!
Q: What is a SENDCO?
A: A SENDCO is a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator. This is the person responsible for overseeing the provision of support for pupils with special educational needs in a school. They work closely with teachers, support staff, and senior leadership to ensure that every child gets the help they need to succeed.
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