It’s no secret that being a teacher is hard work. But it’s also a very rewarding profession. To make your transition into the teaching profession as smooth as possible, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the many acronyms you will encounter along the way.
In this blog post, we will discuss 10 acronyms that every early career teacher should know. Stay tuned, because at the end of this post we will provide a list of additional resources where you can learn more about these acronyms and other education-related topics!
Related: For more, check out our article on Teaching Acronyms Explained here.
LSP – Learning Support Plan
It’s no secret that schools are always looking for ways to help their students learn. But what happens when some students need a little extra help? That’s where the LSP comes in.
The LSP, or Learning Support Plan, is a document that provides targets and goals for students who need extra support. It’s part of the evidence that schools use to show they’re doing everything they can to support their students.
And while it might sound a little dry, the LSP can actually be a great tool for helping students succeed. So if you’re a student who needs a little extra help, make sure to ask your teacher about creating an LSP. It could make all the difference in your educational journey!
GD – Greater Depth
When children are working at a level that is beyond where they should be in a subject, we want them to GD. This stands for Greater Depth. Greater Depth is when children are working at a level that is beyond where they should be in a subject.
When children are working at this level, we want them to dig deeper into their learning. By digging deeper, they will be able to understand the concept better and be able to apply it in different situations. Furthermore, they will also be able to remember the concept for a longer period.
ARE – Age-Related Expectations
ARE is one of those acronyms. It stands for Age-Related Expectations. In other words, it means that children are working at the appropriate level for their age. In comparison to GD learners, ARE learners are at a lower level. This is because they have not yet reached the age where they can be expected to understand and use complex grammar.
However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t still produce great writing! With a little bit of patience and creativity, ARE learners can reach their full potential. So, if you’re working with a young writer, don’t despair – just remember to keep things ARE-appropriate!
PPA – Planning, Preparation and Assessment
If you ask any teacher what their favourite part of the job is, they’re likely to say “PPA.” No, not Parker, Posey and Associates – PPA stands for Planning, Preparation and Assessment. This is the time when a teacher will do all of their work outside of the classroom to get ready for their lessons.
While it may sound like a tedious task, PPA is actually a crucial part of teaching. It allows educators to map out their lessons, identify any areas that need further explanation and create assessment materials that will help them gauge their students’ understanding.
In other words, PPA is the key to ensuring that every lesson is engaging and effective. So next time you see your child’s teacher working hard during PPA, be sure to give them a pat on the back – they’re doing vital work that benefits every student in the class.
EHCP
EHCP stands for Education and Healthcare Plan. This is a document that is given to children who have special educational needs and require extra support. To be given an EHCP teachers or parents will need to apply to the local council and specialists will come and assess the child.
When a child is given the EHCP their school is given extra funding to help support them. The EHCP is also known as ‘The Magic Document’ because it can help children get the extra support they need, whether that be one-to-one support, sensory equipment or specialist provision. It’s not actually magic, but it can feel like it when you finally get your hands on one!
ECT
As a new teacher, there are a lot of acronyms to keep track of. ECT stands for Early Career Teacher, and it replaces the old acronym NQT. The ECT designation is given to teachers who have completed their initial teacher training and are in their first three years of teaching.
While the ECT acronym may be new, the challenges that early career teachers face are well-known. In addition to dealing with the everyday challenges of the classroom, early career teachers must also navigate the daunting landscape of education politics.
With so much on their plates, it’s no wonder that early career teachers often feel overwhelmed. However, it’s important to remember that the ECT acronym is just a label. It doesn’t define who you are as a teacher. You are so much more than an acronym.
BAME – Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic
There’s a new acronym in town, and it’s called BAME. No, it’s not some sort of secret code – it stands for “Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic.” And it’s becoming increasingly popular in the world of education.
The term BAME is used to describe students who come from a background that is not white. It includes students from all sorts of different ethnicities, including black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American. And while the term is often used in the UK, it’s becoming more and more common in the US as well.
So why the sudden interest in BAME students? Well, there are a few reasons. First of all, educators are becoming more aware of the fact that BAME students often face additional challenges in the classroom. They may not have the same level of English language proficiency as their white counterparts, for example, or they may come from a culture that places less value on education. As a result, they can often feel isolated and excluded in the classroom.
In addition, there is a growing recognition of the fact that BAME students represent a significant portion of the population – both in the UK and in the US. In fact, according to one estimate, BAME students make up around 28% of the US student population. And as such, educators are realizing that it’s important to cater to their specific needs.
So what does all this mean for educators? Well, first of all, it’s important to be aware of the challenges that BAME students may face in the classroom. By being sensitive to these issues, you can ensure that all students feel welcome and included in your classroom.
In addition, it’s also important to remember that BAME students are an important part of our society – and that they have a lot to offer. So make sure to create an inclusive environment in your classroom where everyone feels valued and respected.
EYFS – Early Years Foundation Stage
Having spent the last year teaching in an Early Years setting, I have come to appreciate the importance of the acronym EYFS. For those of you who are not familiar with it, EYFS stands for Early Years Foundation Stage. It is a set of guidelines that all Early Years settings in the UK are supposed to follow to provide quality care and education for young children.
While I am sure that the EYFS acronym is very important to those who work in the Early Years sector, I have to admit that it can be a bit of a mouthful! In my own personal experience, I have found that it is much easier to just remember the four main areas of focus: Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Literacy. Of course, there are many other aspects to the EYFS, but these are the ones that I tend to focus on in my day-to-day work.
So there you have it: a quick overview of the Early Years Foundation Stage and what it entails. Next time you meet someone who works in an Early Years setting, be sure to ask them about their favourite part of the EYFS!
QTS – Qualified Teacher Status
If you’ve ever been a teacher, you know that there are a lot of acronyms floating around. QTS is just one of them, but it’s an important one. QTS stands for “Qualified Teacher Status.” To be a qualified teacher in the UK, you need to have QTS.
There are a few different ways to get QTS, but the most common is by completing a teaching degree or postgraduate certificate in education. Once you’ve got your QTS, you’re ready to start your teaching career!
SEN – Special Educational Needs
SEN is a teaching acronym that stands for Special Educational Needs. It refers to the range of difficulties that some students may have in accessing the curriculum or making progress in school. SEN can include anything from mild difficulties with reading or writing, to more severe difficulties such as autism or Down syndrome.
The good news is that there is a range of SEN provision options available in schools, and many teachers are now trained in how to support students with SEN. So if you’re a parent of a child with SEN or a teacher who works with students with SEN, don’t despair – there’s plenty of help out there!
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