A to Z of school leadership
Absence on medical grounds
When a child is absent from school on medical grounds it is important that they are able to keep up with their studies, as far as their medical condition allows.
Academies
City Academies are publicly funded independent secondary schools with sponsors from the private or voluntary sectors or from churches or other faith groups.
Access to scripts
From summer 2000 GCSE, A and AS cadidates have had access to marked scripts.
Accredited ICT service suppliers
The creation of a new accreditation mark for the provision of ICT services to educational institutions introduces a number of changes from the accreditation process developed for NGfL Managed Services.
Admission appeals
Governing body admission authorities must establish independent appeal panels so that parents can appeal against any decision not to offer their child a place at the school, (even if they have been offered a place at another school).
Advertising in schools
Acceptance of advertising, by display of posters, distribution of leaflets or any other direct method, by a school is at the discretion of the head teacher and the board of governors.
Annual parents' meetings
The Education Bill 2005 has removed the requirement for governing bodies to produce a Governors' Annual Report. The Governors' Annual Report has been replaced with the School Profile.
Annual report to parents
The Education Bill 2005 has removed the requirement for governing bodies to produce a Governors' Annual Report. The Governors' Annual Report has been replaced with the School Profile.
Anti-bullying policy
A model policy that schools can use as a template when devising an anti-bullying policy.
Appointment of staff
Head teachers have a professional duty to participate in the selection and appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff other than head teachers.
Art and design
Art and design is a key component of a balanced and rounded education for all children.
Asbestos
Airborne asbestos fibres are very hazardous to health. The main area of risk is work on existing buildings.
Assessment results
The Data Collection Agency (DCA) is managed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) on behalf of the DfES. The DCA collects data from the Key Stage 2 and 3 national curriculum test and teacher assessment results.
Autumn package
National 2005 data, previously known as the Autumn Package is available via the Standards website.
Background checks on staff
It is important that thorough checks are made on anybody who will be working in a school or further education institution (including a sixth form college), both to prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to children and to maintain the integrity of the teaching profession.
Benchmarking
Benchmarking is the term given to the process of measuring standards of actual performance against those achieved by others with broadly similar characteristics.
Best value
Best Value is a key element of the Government’s programme to modernise local government. The aim of Best Value is to ensure local authorities continually improve the ways that they function, having regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness. Best Value is a statutory requirement for local authorities, including LEAs.
Bidding for funds
When preparing a bid for funds, the head teacher or designated member of the senior management team/bursar should research thoroughly the available sources of funding (see Grants for Schools).
Boarding schools
Boarding schools admit boarders as well as day pupils.
Bursars
The bursar role is a special one in that it is clearly a ‘support staff’ role, as ensuring the most effective use of all school resources is essential to supporting teaching and learning. At the same time bursars also have an important ‘senior management’ role in schools, as they are increasingly establishing themselves as part of school Senior Management Teams/Leadership Groups - involving strategic planning and risk management.
Catering services
Compulsory nutritional standards for school lunches were introduced on 1 April 2001.
Charging for activities
The LEA or governing body may not charge for anything unless they have drawn up a statement of general policy on charging.
Child employment
Properly structured and regulated part-time work can help children's development and preparation for working life as long as it does not have an adverse impact on their education.
Child protection
The Children Act 1989 gives every child the right to protection from abuse and exploitation and the right to have enquires made to safeguard his or her welfare.
City technology colleges
CTCs are independent all-ability, non fee-paying schools for pupils aged 11-18. Their purpose is to offer pupils of all abilities in urban areas across England the opportunity to study successfully a curriculum geared, with the help of private sector sponsors, towards the world of work.
Class sizes
The Government's policy to reduce infant class sizes is a central part of its drive to raise standards in schools.
Collective worship policy
A model policy that schools can use as a template when devising a collective worship policy.
Common basic data set
A key part of the Information Management Strategy is to have agreed sets of essential information that are held electronically in all schools and LEAs, and can be transferred in a standard electronic format.
Common transfer file
All such schools are expected to have the capability to transfer and receive the defined items of pupil data electronically.
Community involvement
The Government is addressing gaps in learning and introducing citizenship education into the National Curriculum.
Community use of school premises
Schools can provide a range of extended services and facilities for the benefit of pupils, parents, families and the wider community.
Compulsory school age
Parents of children of compulsory schools age (5 to 16) are required to ensure that they receive a suitable education by regular attendance at school or otherwise.
Connexions service
Connexions is the Government's front line support service for all young people aged 13-19. It is now live across 47 partnership areas of England, whose boundaries match local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) boundaries. The service went live in phases across England between April 2001 and April 2003.
Consistent financial reporting
Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) standardises, simplifies and streamlines the reporting of school finances in all maintained schools in England. The aim of CFR is to populate a website with a bank of benchmarked data, giving all maintained schools the opportunity to compare their incomes and expenditures with those of similar schools.
Continuing Professional Development CPD
CPD includes any activity that increases teachers' knowledge or understanding, and their effectiveness in schools.
Copyright
Copyright is one of several Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Other examples include patents and trademarks. Intellectual Property (IP) is the results of intellectual effort or creativity.
Creativity in schools
The revised national curriculum offers teachers more flexibility in the delivery of the curriculum with more opportunities for pupils to explore their creative potential.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) aims to help employers make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain types of work, through a service called Disclosure.
Dance and Drama awards (DaDas)
The Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) are scholarships funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). They offer greatly reduced tuition fees and income-assessed support with living and learning costs at 22 of the leading independent Dance and Drama schools in England.
Design and Technology (D&T) in schools
Following the recent 14-19: opportunity and excellence consultation, the DfES intends that Design and Technology (D&T) will become an entitlement and not compulsory at Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16) from September 2004.
Disability discrimination
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 employers, including LEAs and governing bodies, must not discriminate against disabled people applying for jobs, or against existing disabled staff.
Drugs education
Good drugs education should teach young people about the dangers and harmful effects of drugs so that they are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle and achieve their full potential in society.
Drug, alcohol and tobacco education is a statutory part of the National Curriculum Science Order at key stages 1 to 4. It is best supported as part of a wider personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship programme.
Early years and childcare
The former Sure Start and Early Years and Childcare Units of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) have been combined into a single interdepartmental Unit, the Sure Start Unit, accountable for delivery to both the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Work and Pensions
Education action zones
Education Action Zones allow local partnerships to develop new and imaginative approaches to raising standards in disadvantaged urban and rural areas.
Educational psychologists
The role of Educational Psychologists (EPs) in statutory assessment is well known but they also have an important role in early identification and intervention.
Emergency planning
Emergency planning establishes procedures for dealing with emergencies confidently should they arise. TeacherNet has devised guidelines which cover planning, types of incidents and online tools to support your school’s emergency plan.
Ethnic minority pupils
The Government is wholly committed to promoting equality of opportunity in our schools and closing the educational achievement gap that exists between some groups of minority ethnic pupils and their peers.
Ethnic monitoring
Information about pupils' ethnic group allows for better observation of the performance of different groups, consideration of possible explanations for any disparity in achievement and planning of strategies for action.
European and international links
Many opportunities exist for schools and educationalists to interact and exchange information, people and ideas with other countries.
European legislation
Articles 149 and 150 of the Treaty establishing the European Community make clear that it is for individual countries to organise their education systems and determine the content of teaching as they see fit at a national level.
Example policies
A list of policies provided by the DfES which schools may use as templates when creating or reviewing their policies.
Exclusion
In 1996-97 permanent exclusions were at a peak of 12,700, a threefold increase between the early and mid 1990s.
The Social Exclusion Unit published a report on truancy and exclusion and set Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets on truancy, exclusion and provision of suitable educational provision for excluded pupils. These were subsequently adopted in the White Paper.
Extended services
Schools can provide a range of extended services and facilities for the benefit of pupils, parents, families and the wider community.
Fair Processing Notices (FPN) for pupils and school workforce - background and links to suggested texts and cover notes
Word versions of a cover note setting out changes in the FPN guidance for 2006-07, as well as a suggested text for local authorities and maintained schools, and one for City Technology Colleges, Academies and Non-maintained Special Schools.
Financial benchmarking
Financial benchmarking in schools is about more than just effectively managing the budget. It is about achieving Best value, the Government policy designed to further continuous improvement in locally provided services, including education.
Fitness to teach
Teachers and those training to become teachers need a sufficient standard of health and physical fitness to enter or remain in the teaching profession. Teaching is a demanding yet rewarding career and teachers have a duty of care for the pupils in their charge.
Flexibility in the national curriculum
Head teachers have considerable scope to develop their own curriculum within and around the national curriculum framework.
Foreign language assistants
The FLA scheme offers an invaluable resource for the promotion and support of language teaching and learning and FLAs can contribute greatly to all aspects of a language department's work by providing authentic native language support.
Freedom of information for schools
The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act requires all public authorities, including all maintained schools, to set out in an approved ‘publication scheme’ what information they hold and where and how the information can be accessed by an interested individual.
Fruit in schools
The National School Fruit Scheme is a Department of Health led initiative, which will entitle 4 to 6 year olds and 3 year olds registered at schools, with a free piece of fruit every day.
Gap year policy
For many young people the idea of taking a year out between school and university is an attractive one.
GCSE examinations
The governing bodies of schools are required by section 402 of the Education Act 1996 to enter pupils for prescribed public examinations, such as GCSEs, for which they have been prepared by the school.
General Teaching Council
The General Teaching Council (GTC), launched in September 2000, is the new independent professional body for teachers.
Geography
Geography is a statutory national curriculum subject, studied by all pupils between the ages of 5 and 14.
Governors' annual report
The Education Bill 2005 has removed the requirement for governing bodies to produce a Governors' Annual Report. The Governors' Annual Report has been replaced with the School Profile.
Grammar school ballots
The Government made clear before the election that they do not support academic selection via the 11-plus exam and do not wish to see it extended.
Grants for schools
There are a large number of potential sources of funding which head teachers (or a designated member of the senior management team or bursar) can research depending upon their own needs, interests and existing contacts.
Gypsy and traveller children
Gypsy and Traveller children should be given the same opportunities as all other children to benefit from schools.
Health and safety
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on employers to do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety and welfare of their employees and the health and safety of non-employees affected by the undertakings of the employer.
HIV and AIDS
Children with HIV or AIDS should be allowed to attend school. HIV infection or AIDS should not be a factor taken into account by local education authorities, governing bodies and head teachers in discharging either their various duties concerning school admissions, transfers and attendance, or their powers of exclusion from school.
Home to school travel
The DCSF, in partnership with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DFT) and the Department of Health, is encouraging safe, healthy and sustainable school travel.
Home-school agreements
All maintained schools and city technology colleges are required to adopt a home-school agreement.
Homework
Learning at home is an essential part of good education.
Independent schools registration
The standards for independent schools are set out in the Education Act 2002, which provides a regulatory framework for the registration and monitoring of all independent schools.
Independent/State School Partnership scheme
The Government is encouraging independent and state schools to work together to raise standards, widen educational opportunities, share best practice and create a climate of social inclusion.
Individual Education Plan (IEP)
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) builds on the curriculum that a child with learning difficulties is following and is designed to meet each child's identified needs.
Insurance
The funding of insurance for maintained schools is currently governed by Regulations under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
LEAs can retain funding centrally for insurance within their Local Schools Budget. They may delegate resources for insurance to all or some schools. Schools can still request to have insurance funding delegated to it on an individual basis.
Joint school and college ventures
In response to the 14-19 agenda a number schools and colleges have been developing proposals for new ways of cross sector working, some involving jointly run facilities that require capital investment.
LA intervention
For specific queries about LA intervention, please contact the LA Intervention Policy Development and Finance team at the Department for Education and Skills, tel: 020 7925 5943.
Language assistants
The FLA scheme offers an invaluable resource for the promotion and support of language teaching and learning and FLAs can contribute greatly to all aspects of a language department's work by providing authentic native language support.
Learning and Skills Council
The LSC is a non-departmental public body, established under the Learning and Skills Act 2000. Its function is to plan and fund post-16 learning in England, including school sixth-form provision, FE, work-based training, and adult and community learning.
Lengh of school year: Temporary reductions
Length of school day/year
Schools must open for 380 half-day sessions (190 days) in each school year, beginning with the first term to start after July.
Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is one of the keys to prosperity for individuals, businesses and the nation.
Literacy
The National Literacy Strategy has two main aims: to improve the teaching of literacy in the classroom and to improve the management of literacy at school level.
Meals and milk
The duty to provide free meals to eligible pupils, paid lunches where parents request them, and to comply with national nutritional standards, rests with the Local Education Authority (LEA). Where a school’s budget share includes an amount in respect of meals and other refreshments this duty rests with the school’s governing body.
Media and PR advice
When dealing with the media, schools need to adhere to certain rules and guidelines. This will protect them from bad press and false representation, as opposed to good press that will raise their reputation in the community and keep them known as an interested and interesting local school.
Mental health
A recent ONS survey showed that very large numbers of children suffer from mental health problems. A positive school experience can make a real difference to the long-term outcomes for children who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing mental health problems.
Mentoring
Mentoring initiatives can make a significant contribution to the overall strategies of support available to individuals in education.
Mobile phones and base stations
A report into mobile phones and health, in May 2000, recommended that a specific precautionary approach should be adopted until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on any health effects becomes available.
Model policies
A list of policies provided by the DfES which schools may use as templates when creating or reviewing their policies.
Multi-cultural education
The Government is wholly committed to ensuring that pupils from ethnic or religious minorities have the same opportunity as all others to benefit from what schools can offer them.
Music and dance
The Government's Music and Dance Scheme (MDS – previously the Music and Ballet Scheme) provides means-tested aided places for over 800 boys and girls with outstanding talent in music or dance.
National Curriculum
The National Curriculum secures for all pupils an entitlement to a number of areas of learning and to develop knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for their self-fulfilment and development as active and responsible citizens.
National curriculum - flexibility
Head teachers have considerable scope to develop their own curriculum within and around the national curriculum framework.
National Data 2005
National 2005 data, previously known as the Autumn Package is available via the Standards website.
National Healthy Schools Standard (NHSS)
The NHSS is the mainstay of the healthy schools programme and was introduced in 1999 as a vehicle to support delivery of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).
Net capacity assessment
The capacity of a school is the number of pupil places available. The net capacity is intended to provide a single, robust and consistent method of assessing the capacity of schools.
Numeracy
The National Numeracy Strategy has two main aims: to improve the teaching of mathematics in the classroom and to improve the management of numeracy at school level.
Nutrition
See Nutritional standards under the Meals and milk topic.
Occupational health guidance
New guidance on occupational health in the workplace for teachers has been produced.
Out of school hours
Study support is broadly defined as activity outside normal lesson time in which young people participate voluntarily. Activities can include homework, study and breakfast clubs; sports and outdoor activities; the creative arts; mentoring; opportunities to pursue particular interests such as languages or ICT and developing study skills. Its purpose is to improve young people's motivation, build their self-esteem and help them to become more effective learners. Above all, it aims to raise achievement.
Overseas pupils
Admission authorities may receive an application from parents overseas for a school place for a child who is not yet resident in the UK.
Parent Governor Representatives (PGRs)
Parent Governor Representatives (PGRs) are elected by other parent governors to provide a voice for all parents in their local area.
Parental involvement
Every 'parent' (as defined in education law) has a right to particpate in decisions about their child's education.
Parental responsibility
This guidance defines the conditions of parental responsibility and outlines best practice in cases of conflict or dispute.
PE and school sport
Physical education (PE) and school sport is an essential part of a broad and balanced curriculum and it is vital that this should be a positive and enjoyable experience for all young people. The teaching of PE in the National Curriculum is statutory at Key Stages 1 to 4 (age 5 to 16).
Permanently excluded children
In 1996-97 permanent exclusions were at a peak of 12,700, a threefold increase between the early and mid 1990s.
The Social Exclusion Unit published a report on truancy and exclusion and set Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets on truancy, exclusion and provision of suitable educational provision for excluded pupils. These were subsequently adopted in the White Paper.
Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE)
PSHE provides a vital foundation for the personal development of young people in preparing them for adult life.
Personalised learning
Personalised learning is about tailoring education to individual need, interest and aptitude to ensure that every pupil achieves and reaches the highest standards possible.
Playing fields
Playing fields are protected under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, which empowers the Secretary of State to protect school playing fields in England from disposal or change of use.
Playing for success
Playing for Success is part of a package of measures to increase out of school hours provision, contributing to the wider raising standards agenda.
Political bias
LEAs, governing bodies and head teachers of all maintained schools must ensure that teachers do not promote one-sided political views when teaching any subject.
Polling stations - use of schools as
Returning Officers have the right to select schools as venues for polling stations.
Positive activities for young people (PAYP)
Positive Activities Young People (PAYP) was officially launched by Estelle Morris MP (Minister for the Arts) on Tuesday 15 July 2003.
This new programme aims to provide developmental and diversionary activities for 8-19 year olds from 2003 to 2006. PAYP builds upon Connexions Summer Plus, Splash, Splash Extra and Community Cohesion.
Post-16 funding
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England, outside of higher education. This includes school sixth form funding.
Post-16 qualifications
In September 2000 the most significant changes to post-16 curriculum for 50 years were introduced.
Pre-appointment checks on staff
Primary strategy
On 20 May 2003 the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Charles Clarke, launched the new strategy for primary education - Excellence and Enjoyment: A strategy for primary schools.
Professional development placements
Professional development placements offer opportunities for teachers to undertake placements with the aim of gaining practical experience of business and an understanding of employer needs.
Prospectus
Governing bodies of maintained schools must publish a school prospectus.
Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets
Delivering better public services does not only depend on how much money the Government spends. Equally important is how well the Government spends it. Public Service Agreements (PSAs) set out what Departments aim to deliver in return for the investment being made. They provide a clear statement of priorities and are an integral part of the government’s spending plans.
Pupil Achivement Tracker (PAT)
National 2005 data, previously known as the Autumn Package is available via the Standards website.
Pupil records
The governing body is responsible for a pupil's educational record being made available for their parent to see, free of charge, within fifteen school days of receipt of the parent's written request.
Pupil reports
By law head teachers of maintained schools are responsible for ensuring that they send an annual report to parents on their children’s achievements.
Purchasing guide
Making best use of the school budgets to maximise impact on the raising of eductional standards is a key responsibility for all school governors and managers.
Raising achievement
The revised national curriculum requires schools to focus teaching and learning on their pupils’ needs and to take account of gender, ethnicity and social class.
Reducing bureaucracy
Cutting unnecessary burdens on teachers is a priority issue.
Refugee and asylum seekers' children
It is Government policy that asylum seeker and refugee children are given the same opportunities as all other children to benefit from schools.
Remodelling - support staff
On 15 January 2003, Ministers signed a national agreement with key partners including the local authority employers and school workforce unions. Key features of the agreement include contractual changes for teachers to bring about a progressive reduction in teachers' overall hours, a concerted attack on unnecessary paperwork and bureaucratic processes, additional resources and a national 'change management' programme, and reform of support staff roles.
Remodelling - teaching assistants
Restraining pupils - use of force
All schools should have a policy on the use of force to control or restrain pupils.
Retirement on grounds of ill health
The procedures for applying for ill-health retirement have changed with effect from 1 January 2004. The new arrangements require employers’ involvement in the processing of ill health retirement applications
Returners to teaching
In March 2001 the Government announced incentives to attract qualified teachers back into the classroom after a career break.
Risk management
Risk management strategies involve the identification of risks and actions to remove or limit its impact on the school. Effective risk management delivers value for money by ensuring better use of resources; thereby reducing the costs of avoidable losses and reducing insurance premiums.
Role of LAs in education, children and young people's services
The Government's recent paper, The Role of the Local Education Authority in School Education, clearly sets out the LEA role and also proposes new ways of providing key services to schools.
Safety education
Safety education guidance for head teachers, teachers and school governors was issued by the DfES in 2002. It has been designed to provide authoritative guidance for safety education as part of the Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) framework which includes the theme of developing a safe, healthy lifestyle.
Schemes of work
Schemes of work covering Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the revised national curriculum have been designed by panels of subject specialists from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and practising teachers.
School accounts
Schools are not obliged to publish accounts as such. They are, however, required to produce a financial statement as part of the governor’s report discussed at the annual meeting.
School Building Capital (SBC)
The Government has put a high priority on increased investment in school buildings.
School companies
Under the Education Act 2002, groups of schools can form companies to purchase collectively their normal goods and services or sell their expertise to other schools. This power is optional, and schools need only use it if they feel that a joint identity with other schools will facilitate collective activity.
School holiday dates
The Department does not control the length and timing of school holidays in Scotland and Wales; the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office make that decision.
School leaving date
A person is of compulsory school age when they attain the age of 5 and cease to be of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the school year in which they reach age 16.
School libraries
School libraries are a key resource for pupils.
School lunch
The duty to provide free meals to eligible pupils, paid lunches where parents request them, and to comply with national nutritional standards, rests with the Local Education Authority (LEA). Where a school’s budget share includes an amount in respect of meals and other refreshments this duty rests with the school’s governing body.
School Profile
The Education Bill 2005 has removed the requirement for governing bodies to produce a Governors' Annual Report. The Governors' Annual Report has been replaced with the School Profile.
School prospectus
Governing bodies of maintained schools must publish a school prospectus.
School sixth-form funding
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funds school sixth forms via LEAs.
School uniform
There is no legislation that deals specifically with the wearing of school uniform. It is for the governing body to decide whether there should be a school uniform and, if there is, what it should consist of.
School websites
Before setting up a website, schools need to consider the objectives for doing so, its purpose, the audience to be addressed, and how to protect their students, such as not revealing their identities and pictures etc.
Self evaluation
Rigorous self-evaluation lies at the heart of well managed and effective school improvement.
Sensory difficulties
There is a wide spectrum of sensory, multi-sensory and physical difficulties.
Sex and relationship education
Governing bodies of maintained primary schools must decide whether Sex and Relationship Education should be included in their school's curriculum and, if so, what the educational provision should consist of and how it should be organised.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) policy
A pupil is defined as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) if he or she has a learning difficulty which requires special educational provision to be made for him or her.
Special educational needs and disability tribunal
It is a non-departmental public body which exists to resolve disputes between parents and LEAs with regard to SEN provision made for children. The amended (in 2001) Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Part IV extended the role of the Tribunal so that from September 2002 it has dealt with disability discrimination in schools and is now known as the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST).
Special educational needs identification and assessment
Early identification, assessment and provision for any child who may have Special Educational needs (SEN) is crucial.
Speech and language therapy
Prime responsibility for the provision of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services to children has rested with the NHS since 1974.
Staff recruitment
Individual schools and governing bodies are responsible for recruiting and retaining their staff, and hold most of the budgets.
Statements of special educational needs
When referring a pupil for statutory assessment, written information should be submitted by the head teacher or Special Educational Needs Co-rdinator (SENCO).
Study support
Study support is broadly defined as activity outside normal lesson time in which young people participate voluntarily. Activities can include homework, study and breakfast clubs; sports and outdoor activities; the creative arts; mentoring; opportunities to pursue particular interests such as languages or ICT and developing study skills. Its purpose is to improve young people's motivation, build their self-esteem and help them to become more effective learners. Above all, it aims to raise achievement.
Supply teachers
The Government is taking steps to raise the status and quality of supply teaching.
Support staff
On 15 January 2003, Ministers signed a national agreement with key partners including the local authority employers and school workforce unions. Key features of the agreement include contractual changes for teachers to bring about a progressive reduction in teachers' overall hours, a concerted attack on unnecessary paperwork and bureaucratic processes, additional resources and a national 'change management' programme, and reform of support staff roles.
Sure Start
Sure Start is part of the Government's drive to eradicate child poverty in 20 years and to halve it in 10.
Sustainable development
A sustainable development strategy for schools is being rolled out by the DfES in gradual stages over 2003/2004.
Teacher recruitment
Individual schools and governing bodies are responsible for recruiting and retaining their staff, and hold most of the budgets.
Teachers' International Development Programme (TIPD)
Launched in 2000 the TIPD programme enables teachers to experience international educational systems by participating in visits to overseas schools to study themes of relevance to the curriculum.
Teaching assistants
There is a wide variety of terminology used to describe adults who work in classrooms alongside teachers in schools. The term teaching assistant is an umbrella term the DfES uses to include classroom assistants, learning support assistants and others whose primary role is to assist the teacher in the classroom.
Term dates
The Department does not control the length and timing of school holidays in Scotland and Wales; the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office make that decision.
Threshold assessment
Threshold assessment provides good teachers with an opportunity to apply for a consolidated pay increase of £2076 and access more pay.
Training & Development Agency (TDA)
The Training & Development Agency (TDA) was set up by the Education Act 2005.
Trespassers
Schools are not public places to which any member of the public is entitled to have access.
Uniform
There is no legislation that deals specifically with the wearing of school uniform. It is for the governing body to decide whether there should be a school uniform and, if there is, what it should consist of.
Value added
Value added shows the progress made by an individual or a group compared with the average progress made by similar pupils nationally between Key Stages, i.e. the relative progress they have made.
Value for money
The Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 has made changes to the ways in which schools are funded so that a greater proportion of funding is devolved to schools for them to spend.
Volunteering
If young people are to get the maximum benefit from their years at school, then the support that volunteers provide in supporting teachers, administration of the school and helping young people with particular needs is vital.
Young carers
In 1996, it was estimated that there were 51,000 young carers in the UK, but estimates from a study from the Children Society released in May 2003 suggest that this may be as high as 149,000.
