Jargon buster

Department for Education

Formerly the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) as of June 2010. www.education.gov.uk
ICT Information and Communication Technologies
AST Advanced Skills Teacher

Advanced School Teacher is a role in a maintained school in England and Wales. Advanced Skills Teachers are judged through external assessment against a range of criteria to demonstrate excellent classroom teaching practice. They are employed in Advanced Skills Teacher posts in roles which include an element of work dedicated to supporting teaching colleagues in their own schools, and other schools in the area, to improve their own practice. www.teachernet.gov.uk
TDA Training and Development Agency for Schools.

National agency with a remit from DCSF to oversee the training and development of the school workforce, and responsible for a range of induction and CPD initiatives. The Teaching Music website is an example of a TDA-funded project. http://www.tda.gov.uk
SSAT Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.

An independent charitable trust grant-aided by the DCSF. It provides support and advice through an on-going network of schools and has lead responsibility for delivering the government's Specialist Schools and Academies programmes in England. The ten specialisms in the government’s programme include the Arts and Music. www.ssatrust.org.uk
SMA Schools Music Association.

A subject association with membership from all areas of music education. Organises conferences, CPD and events for schools. www.schoolsmusic.org.uk/
QCA Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

Public body, sponsored by DCSF, with responsibility for developing the curriculum, assessment, examinations and qualifications. QCA has led the revision of the KS3 curriculum and the development of the 14-19 Diploma. During 2009-10, it will become the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA).
NAME National Association of Music Educators

The principal music subject association with membership drawn from teachers, lecturers, advisers, music services, community musicians and the music industry. Organises conferences, networks and forums and publishes a range of materials.
MEC Music Education Council.

An umbrella body open to any organisation involved in music education. Membership includes subjects associations, higher education institutions, music services, music industry, publishers.
FMS Federation of Music Services.

Organisation acting as the national voice of 156 music services. Activities include advocacy, professional development and providing information and support to members. http://www.thefms.org/
DCMS

Department for Culture, Media and Sport. www.culture.gov.uk
CfSA Council for Subject Associations.

An organisation set up to act as a voice for all subject associations in any subject. Publishes Primary Subjects and the Primary Project Box. http://www.subjectassociation.org.uk/
CfBT

Education Trust which is leading the consortium of subject associations in the programme to support the introduction of the new KS3 curriculum.
http://www.cfbt.com
ACE Arts Council England

The national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery to support a wide range of artistic activities. http://www.artscouncil.org.uk