ACS Jargon

When joining a new school both students and parents are often challenged with a number of new words and acronyms which can leave you confused and lost in translation. 

This list below should help you master very quickly our very own ACS Jargon! 

Advisory: A daily scheduled time for our Upper School students, when the Advisory teacher meet for the purpose of recording their attendance, advising them on academic, social, or future-planning concerns.

AP: Advanced Placement

Assembly:  An assembly is when all or some of the school is gathered together, usually in a hall or large space. These can be daily or weekly and are usually used to present information or events to the students and staff.

Bulletin : At ACS Hillingdon, parents will receive every Friday a "Hawk News" bulletin from each division. It will keep you informed of ongoing and upcoming events related to Lower and Upper school.

BYOD : Bring your own device

CAS :  Creativity, Activity, Service, part of the IB programme

CCA : Co-curricular Activities

Clarion call: In the event that weather (or anything else) may result in closure of the school at short notice, we will inform parents using our emergency messaging system - Clarion Call.

Clubs: Students or Teachers led activities that would usually take place during lunch time or after school hours.

Coffee morning:  A meeting with the Principals and/or Head of School which would usually happen within the first weeks of the beginning of the school year. An opportunity to meet other parents of the same grade and discuss method of learning and key events of the school year. 

DofE : Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 

DTL : Digital Teaching and Learning

EAL: English as Seco9nd Language

EE: Extended Essay (part of the IB Diploma Programme)

Field trip: Events or activities where students leave the school grounds for the purposes of curriculum-related study (part of the classroom experience), or outdoor education.

GCD : Global Citizen Diploma

Hawks Hub:  A one stop shop platform once you children are enrolled at school, for any day to day questions you may have.

HLE : Home Enrichment Language

Homeroom:  Lower school students of the same grade meet daily under the supervision of their homeroom teacher, who takes attendance and administers other school business.

IBDP: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

IBCP: International Baccalaureate - Career related programme

ICP:  Inspire & Challenge Programme course(s)

IO:  Internal Oral, a form of assessment used in Language courses in the IB Diploma programme.

ISI: Independent Schools Inspectorate

ISAA: International Schools Athletics Association

LSSA: London Schools Sports Association

MAP testing :  Measures of Academic Progress. MAP Testing is twice a year in Grades 3-10 in the Autumn and Spring. Results are sent via email. 

Open house: An event hosted by each division at the beginning of the school year, where parents have the opportunity to meet with the faculty team and review the curriculum taught in their respective grade.

Open day/morning: Four events a year that are hosted for prospective families considering joining our school. 

PIM: Parent Information Meeting 

PSO: Parent School Organisation 

SPC:  Student Progress Conference

Residential Trip:  Residential trips are school trips that take place over a few days and pupils are required to stay away from home. Residential trips are usually activity-based trips

Student Services:  Our department for Learning support and EAL