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Curriculum jargon buster

There are lots of bizarre curriculum terms flying around. Get up to speed on what they mean.

Updated
on 1 July 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 36726
Contents
  1. Download our jargon buster
  2. Curriculum
  3. 'Broad and balanced'
  4. Intent, implementation and impact
  5. Thematic curriculum/cross-curricular
  6. Discrete subjects
  7. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) education
  8. Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)
  9. Relationships, sex and health education (RSHE)
  10. Core and foundation subjects
  11. English Baccalaureate (EBacc)
  12. Attainment 8 and progress 8
  13. Differentiation
  14. Scheme of work
  15. The Gatsby Benchmarks

Here are some common curriculum terms you might come across. If your senior leaders ever use a term you're not clear on, ask them to explain it to you.

Download our jargon buster

Download: curriculum jargon buster DOCX, 707.6 KB
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Download and print off our jargon buster so you have it handy – feel free to share it with other governors too.

If you prefer to go paperless, read the article below instead – it has the same information.

Curriculum

A framework that sets out:

  • What’s going to be taught
  • How it will be taught
  • How pupils' knowledge and understanding will be evaluated as a result

Maintained schools must follow the National Curriculum, which covers the standards that pupils should reach in each subject.

Note: following the passage