Glossary
A wide variety of terminology is used in American/International schools world-wide. In the following list, the authors of this Guide explain some of the terms they have used.
Governing Body: this term applies to the duly constituted group which has the ultimate authority to make decisions on behalf of the school. In a given school it may be known as the School Board, the School Council, the Governing Council, the Board of Governors, the Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees, etc. In a proprietary School, the term “Governing Body” includes the ownership structure.
Head of School: this term denotes the person who leads and supervises the daily operations of the school, ensuring that the policies of the Governing Body are put into practice. In given schools titles such as Director, Headmaster/Headmistress, Headteacher, Principal (when it is the highest leadership post in the school), CEO, Chief Administrator, etc. may be in use.
Heads of Subject: usually a teacher who also has a supervisory or middle management role with respect to a subject or combination of subjects. In some schools may be called a Department Chair.
School Guiding Statements: includes the main statement which define the school and its reasons for existence e.g. School Philosophy, Mission, Vision, Charter, Objectives, etc.
School Community: used here in the broad sense of all “stake-holders”. The following sectors are therefore included: students, parents, school staff, school managers/administrators and the governing body.
School Divisions: refers to “horizontal” units (School Sections or Phases) such as Elementary or Primary Division, Middle School Division, etc
Special Needs: includes provision for students with learning difficulties as well as those with exceptionally high ability or talents.
Faculty: refers to all those involved in academic functions. This includes Directors/ Head Teachers/Principals, Heads of Department, teachers, librarians, etc.
Support Staff: this term is used in the broad sense of school employees who contribute to school life by means other than the directly academic. These include classroom assistants, office staff, and employees involved in auxiliary services (canteen, cleaning, transport, security, etc.).
Head of School: this term denotes the person who leads and supervises the daily operations of the school, ensuring that the policies of the Governing Body are put into practice. In given schools titles such as Director, Headmaster/Headmistress, Headteacher, Principal (when it is the highest leadership post in the school), CEO, Chief Administrator, etc. may be in use.
Heads of Subject: usually a teacher who also has a supervisory or middle management role with respect to a subject or combination of subjects. In some schools may be called a Department Chair.
School Guiding Statements: includes the main statement which define the school and its reasons for existence e.g. School Philosophy, Mission, Vision, Charter, Objectives, etc.
School Community: used here in the broad sense of all “stake-holders”. The following sectors are therefore included: students, parents, school staff, school managers/administrators and the governing body.
School Divisions: refers to “horizontal” units (School Sections or Phases) such as Elementary or Primary Division, Middle School Division, etc
Special Needs: includes provision for students with learning difficulties as well as those with exceptionally high ability or talents.
Faculty: refers to all those involved in academic functions. This includes Directors/ Head Teachers/Principals, Heads of Department, teachers, librarians, etc.
Support Staff: this term is used in the broad sense of school employees who contribute to school life by means other than the directly academic. These include classroom assistants, office staff, and employees involved in auxiliary services (canteen, cleaning, transport, security, etc.).
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