Maths, English, grammar, science and computing glossaries

Baffled by bar charts? Confused by CVC words? Foxed by food webs? Puzzled by phrases and programming languages?

TheSchoolRun's free primary-school glossaries explain all the maths, English, grammar, science and computing terms you need to know to support your child's learning at home.

Find the term you want to read in our comprehensive list, then click through for a plain-English, parent-friendly guide packed with examples, teachers' tips and step-by-step explanations.

Primary numeracy glossary

From area to word problems, TheSchoolRun's primary-school numeracy glossary offers a complete guide to all the maths concepts children are taught in EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

Brush up on your own mathematical skills, clear up homework confusion and understand exactly what your child is learning at school by reading about analogue clocks, BODMAS, long division, polygons, triangular numbers and lots more!

Primary literacy glossary

TheSchoolRun's primary-school literacy glossary offers a term-by-term introduction to all the literacy concepts taught from Reception to Year 6.

From alliteration in poetry to phonics digraphs and writing persuasive text, the literacy terms your child will be introduced to in primary school are explained in parent-friendly language so you can understand what's being taught in the classroom.

Primary grammar glossary

Do you know the difference between the subject and the subjunctive? Can you identify a relative clause or find a phrase?

From active voice to verb tense, TheSchoolRun's primary-school grammar glossary offers a complete guide to all the grammatical concepts children are taught in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 English. 

Primary science glossary

From condensation to the water cycle, TheSchoolRun's primary-school science glossary introduces the concepts children are taught in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 science.

Your child will learn about plants, animals, space, physical processes and their own body in primary-school science; from adaptation and air resistance to vertebrates and voltage, we explain the scientific terminology they'll be introduced to.

Primary computing glossary

Do you know what your child means when they're talking about compiling algorithms and debugging programs? All the primary school computing and ICT terms that you might hear from your KS1 or KS2 child are explained in TheSchoolRun's primary-school computing glossary.