Education Glossary: UK and US Terms A–Z
Plain-English meanings of 1,250 words and acronyms teachers meet in schools in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the United States.
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Terms teachers look up most
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Browse A–Z
- 0-9 3 terms
- A 78 terms
- B 36 terms
- C 115 terms
- D 50 terms
- E 77 terms
- F 53 terms
- G 42 terms
- H 45 terms
- I 54 terms
- J 5 terms
- K 13 terms
- L 52 terms
- M 55 terms
- N 42 terms
- O 25 terms
- P 123 terms
- Q 10 terms
- R 46 terms
- S 168 terms
- T 72 terms
- U 27 terms
- V 13 terms
- W 25 terms
- Y 18 terms
- Z 3 terms
What the glossary covers
- Teaching and learning (134)
- Assessment (103)
- Higher education (94)
- Qualifications (87)
- Curriculum (82)
- SEND and special education (77)
- School life (74)
- Policy and law (64)
- School roles (62)
- Organisations (62)
- Phases and year groups (58)
- Safeguarding and child protection (55)
- Types of school (40)
- Teacher training (37)
- Funding (29)
- Governance (27)
- Teacher employment (27)
- Behaviour (24)
- Grading (23)
- Inspection and accountability (23)
- Professional development (21)
- Education technology (16)
- School calendar (16)
- Wellbeing (15)
Each term says where it is used: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, all four UK nations, the US or internationally. The same word can mean different things: a "public school" is private in England but state-run in the US.
Being checked against official sources. Definitions are written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.
More for teachers: Get a TIP for your class · curriculum and standards · safeguarding guidance summaries.
Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.