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LAMDA: London Music and dance excellenceAcademy of Music & Dramatic Art LEA: Local Education Authority League tables: Annual tables, ranking schools by results in public examinations, always make news but should be treated with caution. You would expect a highly selective school to achieve better academic results than a school with a comprehensive intake. There is no significance whatever in a school moving 5 places up or down a league table from one year to another (a couple of successful appeals may move it up a score of places) LSC: Learning & Skills Council MADE: Music and Dance Excellence, http://www.made-schools.org.uk">www.made-schools.org.uk  MUN: Model United Nations NABSS: National Association of British Schools in Spain NAHT: National Association of Head Teachers NAMDS: National Association of Music & Dance Schools, now called MADE  National Curriculum for England: Covers the period of education between the ages of 5 and16. Independent schools are not bound by it and have complete freedom to teach what they like. Most independent school Heads believe their curriculum is broadly in line with the NC, which represents a basic minimum standard. Because it dictates what is covered when, it has made changing schools easier without the danger of, for example, studying the Romans three years running. More information is available from the QCA or on the website http://www.nc.uk.net">www.nc.uk.net NEASC: New England Association of Schools & Colleges NFER: National Foundation for Educational Research in England and Wales NPLQ: National Pool Lifeguard Qualification NPQH: National Professional Qualifications for Headship OCR: Oxford Cambridge & RSA Examination, one of the exam boards. (OCR Head Office, 1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU. Tel 01223 553 998; website www.ocr.org.uk) Ofsted: Office for Standards in Education advises the Secretary of State on the standard of schools in England and is responsible for inspecting all maintained and non-ISC independent schools (see ISI for ISC schools).  Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) are the professional Ofsted inspectors and reports are published on its website. (Ofsted, Royal Exchange Buildings, St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7LA. Tel 08456 404 045; Website http://www.ofsted.gov.uk">www.ofsted.gov.uk) Oxbridge: Universities of Oxford and Cambridge PE: Physical education PGCE: Postgraduate Certificate of Education PHAB: Physically Handicapped & Able Bodied PHSE: Personal Health & Social Education (also PSCE, PSME when incorporating Careers or Moral education) Pre-U: New sixth-form qualification developed by Cambridge University International Examinations  PT: Physical training PTA: Parent-Teacher Association PTFA: Parent, Teachers & Friends Association QCA: Qualifications & Curriculum Authority.  Its remit is to promote quality and coherence in education and training. (QCA, 83 Piccadilly, London W1J 8QA. Tel 020 7509 5555; Website http://www.qca.org.uk/">www.qca.org.uk) RAD: Royal Academy of Dance RADA: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art RC: Roman Catholic RE/RI: Religious Education/Instruction RLSS: Royal Life Saving Society RNIB: Royal National Institute for the Blind RS: Religious studies RSA: Royal Society of Arts RYA: Royal Yachting Association