Welcome to the BeGrand.net frequently asked questions.
How to... (21)
You can use the following abbreviations to simplify general terms.
AAMOF = As a matter of fact
ADN = Any day now
AFAIK = As far as I know
AKA = Also known as
B4 = Before
B4N = Bye for now or before now
BBL = Be back later
BITGOD = Back in the good old days
BRB = Be right back
BTA = But then again
BTW = By the way
CU = See you
CUL = See you later
ESP = Especially
F2F = Face to face
FAQ = Frequently asked question
FITB = Fill in the blank
FU or 4U = For you
FWIW = For what it’s worth
FYI = For your information
GFY = Good for you
HTH = Hope this/that helps
IMCO = In my considered opinion
IMHO = In my humble opinion
IMO = In my opinion
IOW = In other words
JIC = Just in case
LOL = Laughing out loud
NP = No problem
NRN = No reply necessary
OTOH = On the other hand
POV = Point of view
PTB = Powers that be
ROTF = Rolling on the floor
ROTFL = Rolling on the floor laughing
SITD = Still in the dark
TAFN = That’s all for now
TGIF =Thank God it’s Friday
TIA = Thanks in advance
TPTB = The powers that be
TTFN = Ta ta for now
WRT = With regard to
WYSIWYG = What you see is what you get
You can use the following abbreviations to indicate a 'family' member.
AD = Adopted daughter
AS = Adopted son
BC = Birth child
DD = Dear/darling daughter
DGS = Dear/darling Grandson
DGD = Dear/darling Granddaughter
DGC = Dear/darling Grandchild/children
DH = Dear/darling husband
DP = Dear/darling partner
DS = Dear/darling son
DW = Dear/darling wife
FC = Foster child
FD = Foster daughter
FIL = Father-in-law
FS = Foster son
LAC = Looked-after child
MIL = Mother-in-law
SD = Step-daughter
SS = Step-son
On a blog or a comment, if you click on the name of the user next to submitted by xyz, and then scroll to the bottom our their profile page you can click on send this user a message which is private.
If you blog or comment in an open group this is public.
Choose photo galleries from your BeGrand.net panel then choose your photo gallery.
Next you can manage your gallery by choosing the Manage Images tab.
Insert a new title and add a caption.
If you do not enter a title, the system will insert the file name of your image instead, which sometimes show as overlapping in the gallery view.
Don't panic! Just change the titles to ones which make more sense and press save.
Before you add an image to a photo gallery, first see 'How to create a photo gallery'
Select 'Photo Galleries' from 'Your BeGrand.net' panel (left side bar).
Next select 'Add an image' then add a title and caption.
Browse and select a photo to upload and then select a gallery from the drop down menu under 'Galleries' that you want to associate your photo with.
On 'Your BeGrand.net' panel (left side bar) there is a photo galleries button. This allows you to create your own gallery or view other galleries created by members.
Select 'photo galleries' and then 'add a photo gallery' and give your gallery a title and short description.
This creates your photo gallery. The next step is to add an image(s) to your gallery.
See How to add a photo to my photo gallery.
When you write you blog you will see some editor features just above where you type. The link icon is greyed out until you highlight some text which will activate this link.
First write your text. Then highlight the word(s) you wish to use as a hyperlink to an internal or external web link. The insert/ edit link then becomes available i.e.(not greyed out). Insert the web address that you would like to link to in the LINK URL box and press insert.
Smileys are keyboard characters used to convey emotion, such as a smile 
or a to show crying
. When you want to add a smilie – or 'emoticon' as they are sometimes called, just select the yellow smilie face by clicking on it and selecting a smilie from the 16 options available.
These are:
Cool
Cry
Embarassed
Foot in mouth
Frown
innocent
Kiss
Laughing
Money Mouth
Sealed
Smile
Surprised
Tongue out
Undecided
Wink
Yell
A private group is also referred to as a closed group.
This doesn't mean that the group is actually closed it just means that you have to request joining. The group is 'private' as the content can only be seen by its members, usually in their local area. At present there is a group in Wales and one Bristol/South West.
To view a list of No Contcat private closed groups view the List of Private No Contact Groups. If you want to join a group, send an email to the contact email and request membership. Whoever is the administer will contact you and activate it for you to access it.
When you have been added to the group, you will see the group on the right hand panel of the group page. To access the group, just click on the group from the right hand panel.
First an explanation - Tagging helps with organising content for users to search on. So if you were looking for 'support for grandparents' this would find all relevant content against this tag heading. The field sits just under the blog title in Group Blogs and Create a blog entries. You don't have to complete this box/field but it can help.
Tags are predefined "official" tags. Just start typing in the tags box and select the tag you want. You can also remove a tag by clicking on the x next to it.
The tags available are:
Baby-care: a refresher
blog
bloggers
cheap tickets
Childhood fevers
Childproofing
cold
Craft activities
Days out
denied contact
Disciplining your grandchildren
Education
Email
Finding childcare
First aid
funny
Games
Getting grandchildren to sleep
Getting your voice heard
Grandparent rights
hazards edit
Healthy eating
high energy drinks
Internet
Investing for your grandchildren
Keeping in touch
Kinship care
Learning to grandparent
Meeting other grandparents
Money-saving tips
new school
no contact
offer
Online safety
Overnight visits
Play indoors
Providing childcare
Question
Reading
Safety in the home
Skype
Staying financially secure
Staying in touch
Support for grandparents
the baby show excel
Video games
Wii
Wills & inheritance
writing
Select the JOIN button and read why register. Create a username which will be shown publically and enter an email address which is private. Choose a password and confirm your password. Select the groups you would like to join.Upload an image or select an avatar. Press create new account. Users can edit their account profiles at any time.
There are a number of ways to find information. You can enter in a search term in the search this site facility at the top of the page or you can search by the age of your grandchild or by the subject area. Articles are ‘tagged’ by age ranges and subject so if you click a tag under each article heading you can also see other articles which may be of interest.
The quick short cut to your BeGrand.net account is to log into the home page. Then you will see top left under the BeGrand.net logo your name| log out . Click on your name to see your BeGrand.net account.
Log in or register. Select a group and then on the right panel select create group blog entry. Enter a title and start typing in your blog post. When you have finished press save. NB Please do not paste from word or excel as it will look strange on the website.
Log in or register. Select create a new blog entry. Enter a title and start typing in your blog post. When you have finished press save. NB Please do not paste from word or excel as it will look strange on the website.
Log In and find the recent activity heading. Here you will see the lastest new entries from articles, blogs, group blogs, comments and updated profiles
Log in and then go to your BeGrand.net account accessed from the left hand panel on any page apart from the home page. Select the edit tab and you will see account | profile | about me. Select Account (it should default to this already). Enter a new email address. Scroll to the bottom of the page and press save.
Log in and then go to your BeGrand.net account accessed from the left hand panel on any page apart from the home page. Select the edit tab and you will see account | profile | about me. Select Account (it should default to this already)
Enter a new email address. Scroll to the bottom of the page and press save.
Log in and then go to your BeGrand.net account accessed from the left hand panel on any page apart from the home page. Select the edit tab and you will see account | profile | about me. Select Account (it should default to this already). Enter a new password. Then you will need to confirm this password entry. Scroll to the bottom of the page and press save.
Log in and then go to your BeGrand.net account accessed from the left hand panel on any page apart from the home page. Select the edit tab and scroll down to picture heading. On the upload a picture function browse for your image which you have saved. Please note the maximum dimensions are 85x85 and the maximum size is 30 kB. Once you have uploaded your image, scroll down further and press save.
Log in and then go to your BeGrand.net account accessed from the left hand panel on any page apart from the home page. Select the edit tab and scroll down to the picture heading. Select an AVATAR by cicking on the image you want . Then scroll down further and press save.
Jargon Busting for Education (81)
VC School. This is a school (usually a church school) where the council recruit staff and organise admissions.
VA School. This is a school (usually a church school) where the governors recruit staff and organise admissions.
Classes formed (in primary schools) with children of different age ranges.
A school for children aged from 13 to 18. The final level in the three tier schooling system.
The time in the child’s school life when he is moving from one Key Stage or School to another eg from the infants class into the junior school or from junior school to secondary education.
Cognitive skills defined as the ability to solve a problem by thinking about it and working out a way to do it using previous things they know and things they have done before, to decide the best way to solve the problem.
A college which provides 16 – 19 education in a sixth form college or FE College.
A system whereby two or more teachers pool their skills, knowledge, etc, to jointly develop, plan and teach combined lessons.
Teaching Assistant.
This is an extensive government programme launched in the late 1990’s to eradicate child poverty. Now commonly known as Sure Start Children’s Centres , the aims is to see a centre in every community. The Centres provide a range of services for children from 0 to five and their families.
Temporary substitute teacher replacing staff who may be away due to illness or a course.
An evaluation (could be a test, or asking specific questions) carried out at the end of an activity or piece of work, to determine the effectiveness on pupil learning. The aim is to see if the children understood the work and have learnt from it.
A person appointed to be responsible for overseeing a specific subject (eg art) in a school, across all the year groups, to ensure the subject is being taught at the appropriate level and all elements are covered in the curriculum.
A document produced by the Local Authority for children with significant learning difficulties, providing them with enhanced support above what their school can provide.
(Schools in special measures). This is when a school is judged by the Ofsted Inspectors to be failing to provide acceptable standards of education. This will involve drawing up a detailed plan of action with a timetable for improvement. The school will be checked every 6-8 months and if the school doesn’t make acceptable progress it may be closed.
Special needs assistant. (Other terms are used to cover this by some schools). This is someone, usually not a qualified teacher, who helps the teacher by giving special assistance to individual or a small group of children. This may include extra reading or helping with their work. The amount of time spent with each child will usually be determined by their IEP, (individual education plan.)
Severe Learning Difficulties. See learning difficulties, SEN and statements.
Special educational needs co-ordinator. The member of staff in the school responsible for special educational needs.
Special educational needs. As assessment of when a child has particular needs, such as disabilities or learning difficulties, which affect their education. The vision behind this is that every child with special educational needs reaches their full potential in school, and can make a successful transition to adulthood and the world of further and higher education, training or work. See statement of special educational needs.
A school for children aged from 11 to 18 years old. The children can leave the school after completing their GCSE exams at about 16 years old, or continue to do their “AS” and “A” levels.
Standardised Assessment Tasks. Tests set by the government, at the end of each Key Stage, to determine if the children in Britain are learning at the rate they should be according to government guidelines.
Education that takes place in a residential setting where the child stay overnight onsite. e.g. boarding schools.
Personal, Health, Social and Economic. A subject taught from Primary school upwards about being safe and healthy. Also includes sex education.
A school for children aged from 4 or 5 to 11 years old.
Profound and Multiple learning difficulties. See learning difficulties and SEN
A group for children under five – they are usually privately run. These are also known as pre-school groups.
When a child cannot go back to a school due to their persistent poor behaviour, and by need to go to a different school.
Physical education. In all schools PE lessons are when all aspects of sport are taught.
Office for Standards in Education – the government agency that inspects school and childcare services and reports on their standards.
Newly Qualified Teacher. Covers those still in the probationary period of teaching.
(Previously mathematics or arithmetic). In all schools this is the subject taught covering all areas of mathematics.
Non teaching assistant – see SNA.
Moderate Learning Disability (or Difficulty). See learning difficulties and SEN
A school for pupils aged 9 – 13 years. Part of the three tier system run in some parts of the country.
An intervention by a trusted and experienced professional or fellow student who has a direct interest in the development or education of a less experienced individual.
Integration of children with special needs into the normal school system.
Learning Support Assistant. See SNA.
Children who are ‘n care’ foster homes, residential homes, etc, and being cared for by social services.
LA (previously the LEA - Local Education Authority).
The part of the local council responsible for education and the schools in the county.
(Formerly called English). The subject taught in all schools which covers reading, writing and spelling skills.
This refers to children who are having particular problems with some areas or many areas of their school work.
The section of the National Curriculum that is to be taught to various age groups. The success of the teaching is measured at the Key Reporting Stages, by means of the Standardised Assessment Tasks (SAT’s). They relate to specific years in education from Reception (when a child enters school for the first time) to Year 11.
The Key Stages are
KS1 - Key Stage 1: ages 5-7, when children are in Years R (Reception) and Year 1 and 2
KS2 - Key Stage 2: ages 7-11. Years 3- 6 until the end of junior or primary school
KS3 – Key Stage Three.: ages 11-14 – when a child enters secondary school. Years 7, 8 and 9
KS4 – Key Stage Four: ages 14-16. Years 10 and 11
A school for pupils aged from 7 to 11 years old.
Junior and Mixed Infants. A school for pupils aged 4 or 5 to11 years old. It means the same as Primary school.
In-service education and training for teachers. These are usually defined days or short courses enabling the updating of teachers and professionals after their initial qualification.
A school for pupils aged 4 or 5 to 7 years old.
Education that takes place in the private sector (eg public schools in the UK).
This defines the successful education of all students (whether with or without disabilities, disadvantages, etc) together in the same school and classrooms, whilst celebrating the resulting diversity, including various abilities and cultures.
Individual Education Plan. This is a document drawn up for every child at stage two or above who is on the school’s SEN (special educational needs) register. This is when the work expected from the majority of the class needs to be changed to make it accessible for the child, or when the child needs assistance or specialist supervision to complete a task. The plan specifies certain SMART targets for the child and the strategies that the school will use to help the child to achieve those targets. It is regularly reviewed by the teacher and SENCO, and the parent or carers should be involved and aware of the child’s targets. SMART stands for - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/or Relevant, Time-related targets.
Information and Communication Technology. This covers learning about how to use computers or new technology. It does not include distance learning or learning other subjects using computers.
Formal education which takes place at the child’s home.
A member of an educational institution’s governing body, who are responsible for the overall running of the school.
General National Vocational Qualification. These are taken mainly by pupils aged 16+ and in full time education, usually in colleges.
General Certificate of Education subjects. These replaced ‘O’ levels.
These subjects have nothing to do with the Foundation stage in schools. (Nursery and Reception classes.)
These are the other subjects besides Literacy, Numeracy and Science, which are taught in primary schools upwards. They are: Design and Technology, Information Technology (IT), History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical Education (PE), and a modern language (secondary schools only).
This is the period in school where a child is aged from 3 to 5 years old, and covers the time spent in Nursery and Reception. There is a specific Foundation curriculum to help the child build up their skill levels to be able to enter school and start working on more academic and subject based topics.
When a child can’t attend school (due to poor behaviour) for a specified time but will go back to school at the end of the set time.
A school for pupils aged 4 or 5 to 9. This system only occurs in certain parts of the country and is part of a three tier system (first, middle and upper schools).
A school that provides a range of services and activities often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and the wider community.
Institution providing education for people after their compulsory age education has finished, covering all levels before degree level education.
A school that provides a range of services and activities often beyond the school day to help meet the needs of its pupils, their families and the wider community.
A term used when a child is told not to attend school due to behaving badly. This can be a fixed period or permanent.
Educational Welfare Officer – see Attendance Officer
Often referred to as the Ed Psych, this is a specialist qualified person who has specific training to help find out why some children are having more difficulties in school than others. They will normally be asked to assess a child when the school feels they have exhausted what they can offer the child in the way of support, or if the school feels that the child has a specific problem or issue which needs identifying. The child can receive the most appropriate support and thrive and learn to the best of their abilities.
This covers the Foundation Stage, Nursery and Reception classes.
Every Child Matters. This is the paperwork where the government lists its aims for every child, whatever their background or circumstances.
• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
• Achieve economic well-being.
English as an additional language. This is used when the first language of the child or parent is not English, and specialist support or guidance may be required to help the pupil thrive and learn.
Difficulty with fine and or gross motor coordination, whether that be problems with the actual control of the muscles or with the brain’s inability to plan and organise complex motor tasks like, tying shoe laces.
A specific learning difficulty with reading, usually defined as being more than two years behind compared with what would be expected for a child of the same mental age.
The different subjects that are taught in schools that are combined to form a structure (the curriculum) for each year group in school.
Here a teacher produces a programme of work or topic involving working on several subjects under the umbrella of one title such as a topic about the Romans looking at the history, geography of the area, stories and poetry (literacy) and the artwork.
The CRB check and approve people who are working with children, either paid or unpaid, to ensure they are suitable to work with children. They issue a certificate to the person and notify the place of work that they are suitable.
A list of children where there are concerns about their wellbeing and social services wish to make sure they are happy and safe.
Launched in December 2007 by the DCSF Secretary of State, this plan promises to achieve world-class schools by 2020. It also aims to encourage parent and carers’ input in their child’s learning and to ensure young people have exciting things to do outside school as well as places to play.
Some admission authorities give priority to children who live in a defined area around the school.
Provides structure and support for pupils to develop appropriate behaviour by building on their strengths and developing their confidence in their own abilities.
Schools identified as amongst the best performing in the country and representing examples of successful practice.
Autism Spectrum Disorder refers to children who show or display some, but not all, of the features of classic autism.
A pervasive developmental disorder, that starts within the first three years of life and is characterised by three main features:
• Marked inability to interact with others (play with, talk to, or even noticed others are there)
• Delayed or disordered speech or language
• Repetitive, restricted or stereotyped patterns of behaviour or interest
Autism is associated with moderate or severe learning disabilities in the majority of cases
(This was previously known as the Education Welfare Officer or Truant Officer. Some local education authorities still use these terms).
They works with schools, parents and children if a child is not attending school regularly to try and improve their attendance.
Asperger’s Syndrome is part of the autistic spectrum disorders. The children differ in having few, if any, speech or language problems.
Using our website (2)
Questions and answers about using the BeGrand.net website.
We have designed BeGrand.net to work in almost any recent browser. However, to really get the most from our site we recommend:
- Mozilla Firefox 3 or above
- Apple Safari 3 or above
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or above
- Screen resolution of 800x600 pixels or greater
- A broadband connection if you would like to view online video or listen to our podcasts
No. Joining BeGrand.net is free, and will remain free forever, with no hidden costs. We may offer you special deals occassionally, but will never bombard you with invitations to spend money. :)