A SEND Glossary: 90 common SEND terms explained
Whether you are new to SEND or have been around for many years, you’ll know that jargon is very common. That’s why a SEND glossary is needed on your school’s website – so that everyone can grasp the jargon, for example:
- “The child may have SLCN.”
- “We get a set amount of EP time each year.”
- “School will meet needs by adaptive teaching.”
A school does not have to provide a guide to the SEND terms they use. However, it is good practice.
However, if your school doesn’t, then we are here to help. Our glossary gives you over 90 of the most common SEND terms, starting with accessibility plans, adaptive teaching and ADHD. It’s ideal for families, governors and staff at schools across England.
Do people read the SEND glossary cover to cover, or keep it as a guide?
It’s up to the reader. Both options will help them in SEND meetings and when reading documents about your pupils.
Inclusive features of the SEND Glossary
Information should be as accessible as possible and this guide is as accessible as we could make it, including:
- Pale background for dyslexia,
- Sans serif font,
- Colour coded sections to help people navigate quickly,
- Alt text (hidden text that explains images to visually impaired people).
The guide stays true to the content but also has a reading age of 12 years old. This makes the guide an ideal tool for everybody, including people who struggle with reading or who speak English as an additional language (EAL).
Best of all – it costs nothing. We simply ask that you give credit and don’t pass this work off as your own.
There is a some editing needed because some SEND services have different names in each area (e.g. autism support teams). If you are a SENCo, then you can tweak the guide to reflect your local services.
Get the free guide in Microsoft Word format (133kb) to use in your school or academy.
I’m a parent or governor. At SEND meetings, can I ask what things mean?
Yes. There are many different types of SEND and the guide doesn’t include every condition that might affect pupils.
Therefore, we all can still be confused in meetings. We ask ourselves “Should I know that already?” or “What will people think if I ask?”
It is always fine for parents, family members and governors to ask. After all, there is a lot of jargon. Remember that even SENCos need to ask about SEND terms sometimes (e.g. RPI). There is a saying that the only bad question is the one that’s not been asked.
We hope that the free glossary helps everyone to navigate through the SEND maze.
More great reads
Need help with SEND in your council, trust or school?
If so, check out our feedback or go direct to our contact page to get in touch.
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