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Education Glossary

UK Education System

12 terms in this category

A-Levels (Advanced Level)

Advanced academic qualifications taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, typically at ages 16-18.

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Academy (Academy School)

A state-funded school in England that operates independently of local authority control.

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Academy School

A state-funded school in England that is independent of local authority control, often part of a multi-academy trust.

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BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council)

Vocational qualifications offered in the UK as alternatives to traditional academic qualifications like GCSEs and A-Levels.

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Free School

A type of academy in England set up by groups such as parents, teachers, charities, or businesses in response to local demand.

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GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)

Academic qualifications taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, typically at age 16.

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Grammar School

A state secondary school in the UK that selects students based on academic ability, typically through the 11-plus exam.

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Key Stage 2 (KS2)

The second stage of the English National Curriculum covering Years 3-6 (ages 7-11) in primary school.

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Ofsted

The Office for Standards in Education, the government body that inspects and regulates schools in England.

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Pupil Premium

Additional funding given to schools in England to help disadvantaged pupils achieve their full potential.

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SATs (Standard Assessment Tests)

National tests taken by pupils in England at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 to assess progress in core subjects.

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Sixth Form (Sixth Form College)

The final two years of secondary education in the UK (Years 12-13) when students typically study A-Levels or equivalent qualifications.

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