Here is some words / phrases and acronyms you may come across in your correspondence with schools, on their websites or in conversations with other franchisees. Hopefully this will help!

Term 

A term refers to a third of an academic year – so from September to Christmas is term 1 (sometimes called Autumn term), New Year to Easter is term 2 (Spring term) and from Easter to Summer is term 3 (Summer term). They are usually around 12 weeks but can vary depending on when the holidays fall.

Half term

Half of a school term, so there are 6 in an academic year. They usually last for around 6 weeks but again this can vary. ‘Half term holiday’ refers to the (usually) one week off inbetween the longer holidays at Chrostmas, Easter and Summer. Be aware some schools have different holidays and if your patch covers more than one council they may be different too so always confirm weeks with your schools when they book.

The names given to the half terms can also vary from school to school. Some will:

• number them 1 through 6 starting from September.
• Call them Autumn 1, autumn 2, spring 1, spring 2, summer 1, summer 2.
• Give them religious names – catholic schools may use Advent term, Lenten term and Trinity term.

Year groups 

Children start primary school in Reception. They then go through years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Some schools will have a nursery attached, which will usually take children from 3 years old so depending upon when their birthday is, some children may spend nearly 2 full years in nursery before they enter reception, which they start the September after they turn 4.

Key Stages 

The way years are grouped. They will be tested at the end of each key stage (although they may not know it) with standardised tests against the National Curriculum:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is Nursery and Reception.
• Key Stage 1 is Years 1 and 2.
• Key Stage 2 is Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Infants, Juniors and Middle School

Most primary schools look after children from 4 to 11. From 4 to 7, Reception to year 2 is known as Infants. From year 3 to year 6 is known as Juniors. Some schools may have separate buildings or entrances for Infants and Juniors which is worth bearing in mind if you need to move around the school, for example for whole school mindfulness programmes. Some schools are ‘middle schools’ and the age can vary, but they are generally from age 7 to 12, so similar to Juniors. Bare in mind that your Junior training covers you up to key stage 2 and if you want to work in middle schools and they go up to key stage 3, you need to do your Kalma Minds teen training.

SEN /SEND / AEND 

These are all interchangable and go through stages of being the ‘correct’ term. They stand for Special Educational Need (this tends not to be used as much but you will still hear it as it was used for such a long time), Special Educational Need or Disability, Additional Eductional Need or Disability (this is the one that should currently be used.) Some schools are specifically set up for those with additional needs.

SENCO

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. These are usually very useful people to know. They have the role of looking after all the children with an additional need in the school. Some children may have a Statement of Need and they will have to by law have a certain amount of support in the classroom. The SENCO is in charge of making sure this happens.

EBD

Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties. Some schools take only children with EBD. As you can imagine, yoga can be really beneficial for those with EBD.

MLD

Moderate Learning Difficulties. This is a really common AEND.

Pupil premium 

This is a sum of money given to schools by the Government. It is intended to close the attainment gap in disadvantaged children. This was £1320 per child who qualifies in 2018/19. Those who are or have been eligible for free school meals or are looked after qualify for PP. This is useful to know becuase some schools see the benefit of using their PP money for yoga and/or mindfulness. You can find a schools pupil premium budget and what they spend it on on their website usually.

Sport Premium

Each school is also given a budget for sport and again this can be found on the website and can be really useful to see what they have spent this on previously and what they plan to spend it on.

PPA

Planning, Preparation and Assessment. Teachers are given time each week for this, usually 20% of their timetable (or meant to be!) This equates to half a day a week. You may be asked to cover the class for this time to free up the teacher. Make sure you check how long the session is and charge accordingly and that you’re happy you have enough content with yoga and mindfulness to fill it.