Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Alps?
- Comparing Alps (Advanced Level Systems) with Value Added measures?
- Why is a focus on quality in A level studies important?
- What type of reports do you produce?
- How effective has Alps been?
- How many schools, FE colleges and sixth form colleges use Alps?
- Is Alps successful in raising achievement and participation?
- Are Alps Projects value for money for LAs and LSCs?
- Why is Alps different from other value-added products?
- What can Alps provide for Local Authorities and Learning and Skills Councils?
- Can I have an Alps report and training for one school?
- How long will it take to receive my report?
- What data do you need to produce an Alps report?
- How do I send you the data you need to produce an Alps report?
- Is the Alps Data Collection Software difficult to use?
- Does the Alps Data Collection Software work on all computers?
- What if I only want the Alps report and not the training?
- How much does an Alps report cost?
- How much does the Alps training cost?
- Is the benchmark used in the Alps analysis statistically sound?
- Which LSC/LA areas are included in Alps projects in 2006?
What is Alps?
Alps (A Level Performance Systems) is an aspirational system of analysis and training used to raise student achievement and participation in post-16 A level studies. Alps is not just a product, it is a process based on a philosophy that everyone is an individual, an exception and to be valued.
Comparing Alps (Advanced Level Systems) with Value Added measures?
The question we are often asked is how does the Alps differ and compare with VA systems such as ALIS, Fisher family Trust, the LAT.
Find out how Alps compares with Value Added measures
Why is a focus on quality in A level studies important?
72% of all 16 year olds in full time education follow A/AS level courses annually.
What type of reports do you produce?
A/AS level reports.
How effective has Alps been?
In the areas that Alps has been introduced and implemented, there have been clear measurable improvements.
How many schools, FE colleges and sixth form colleges use Alps?
Over 850 schools, over 50 FE colleges and over 90 sixth form colleges currently use Alps.
Is Alps successful in raising achievement and participation?
Yes, firstly at Greenhead College. Many examples of schools and colleges across the country have seen marked and significant improvements in achievement as a direct result of using Alps processes. Alps has also proved to schools and colleges that students with lower average GCSE scores can achieve well at A level, resulting in schools allowing wider participation.
Are Alps Projects value for money for LAs and LSCs?
Yes. The aim of Alps is to spread good practice and it is accepted by local LSCs that Alps has been extremely good value for money for these Learning and Skills Councils (LSC) that have contracted with Alkemygold Limited over the past few years. The Package typically includes:
- a statistically robust report in a user-friendly format to schools, colleges, Local Authorities and Learning and Skills Councils
- feedback on the Alps report to senior management teams at schools, colleges, Local Authorities and LSCs
-
training on the three key requirements for success in a school or college;
- Leadership
- Target Setting, Monitoring, Guidance and Support
- Quality, Teaching and Learning
- follow-up training for staff in individual providers
- a dedicated help line service all year round
Why is Alps different from other value-added products?
The difference between Alps and other value-added products is that the Alps report is just the starting point. The Alps report pinpoints strengths and weaknesses within an institution. Alps then provides training for the institution with a system that, if put in place, will improve these areas of weakness. These systems positively empower and motivate both staff and students giving both the confidence and the tools to inspire and improve. Uniquely, Alps systems and the training programmes are shaped to meet the particular needs of an institution, Local Authority or LSC. Alps goes beyond providing a service, the programme is responsive to what is required in a particular location, and works alongside teachers and professionals to achieve this.
The systems and training are practical, based on experience and sound educational philosophy, and they work. Crucially, they match government and QIA mission priorities, to raise participation, retention and achievement in post-16.No other value-added products offer training as part of their package.
What can Alps provide for Local Authorities and Learning and Skills Councils?
As well as Alps reports and training for schools and colleges, Alps also provides reports and feedback to Local Authorities and LSCs. This gives them an overview of provider performance within their region in a format and to a detail that they would not have otherwise. Without exception, LAs and LSCs have found these reports and feedbacks extremely useful and they have helped with strategic decision-making.
Can I have an Alps report and training for one school?
Yes, we provide analysis and training for schools and colleges individually.
How long will it take to receive my report?
We aim to send you your Alps report within 8 days of receiving your submitted data.
What data do you need to produce an Alps report?
The Alps Data Collection Software (Alps DCS) is used to collect the data that we need to produce the Alps reports for schools and colleges. There are particular sets of data that we need to process the reports for each year group, for example student ID, Student names, Subjects taken and Grades achieved and average GCSE scores (or QCA scores). See the page on Submitting Data for more information and to download the Alps DCS.
We request that any school or college that would like an Alps report submit their data to us using this software.
How do I send you the data you need to produce an Alps report?
We request that any school or college that would like an Alps report submit their data to us using the Alps Data Collection Software (Alps DCS). Essentially you fill in the data we need and email the saved file to us at data@alps-va.co.uk or post it on a disc to:
Alps92 Thornhill Avenue
Lindley
Huddersfield
HD3 3DG
We will process your report and invoice the school and college after sending the report to you. See the section on Submitting Data for more information and to download the Alps DCS.
Is the Alps Data Collection Software difficult to use?
No, we have designed it to be as user friendly as possible, based on feedback from previous Alps users. We have also produced a User Guide to help. Download the User Guide for the Alps Data Collection Software.
If you do have any queries at all in relation to the Alps DCS contact us on 01484 437474 or email us at info@alps-va.co.uk
Does the Alps Data Collection Software work on all computers?
The Alps Data Collection Software has been developed to work on PC format computers. If you do have any queries at all in relation to the Alps DCS contact us on 01484 437474 or email us at info@alps-va.co.uk
What if I only want the Alps report and not the training?
That's OK, we offer both services individually as well as a combined project.
How much does an Alps report cost?
Please see the Prices page for a breakdown of the costs of Alps reports.
How much does the Alps training cost?
Each training session is priced on an individual basis depending on the length and type of training required. For further information please contact a member of the Alps team on 01484 437474 or email Toby Ahern at toby@alps-va.co.uk.
Is the benchmark used in the Alps analysis statistically sound?
The Alps benchmark is created from a large database of over 206, 574 A level/ AVCE results. These are taken from over 92, 000 students studying at 560 schools, 91 sixth form colleges and 51 Further Education colleges. The students covered come from all backgrounds and locations across the country. This is a statistically sound set of data by any measure.
Which LSC/LA areas are included in Alps projects in 2006?
Below is a list of participating LSCs for 2007/8:
- Berkshire
- Chesire & Warrington
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Greater Merseyside
- Humberside
- Isle of Wight/Hampshire
- Lancashire
- London Central
- London East
- London North
- London South
- London West
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
Below is a list of participating LAs for 2006:
- Barking & Dagenham
- Barnet
- Barnsley
- Bexley
- Blackburn & Darwen
- Blackpool
- Bolton
- Bracknell Forest
- Bradford
- Brent
- Bromley
- Bury
- Calderdale
- Camden
- Chesire
- Croydon
- Cumbria
- Derby City
- Doncaster
- Ealing
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- Enfield
- Greenwich
- Hackney
- Halton
- Hammersmith & Fulham
- Hampshire
- Haringey
- Harrow
- Havering
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Isle of Wight
- Islington
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Kingston upon Hull
- Kingston upon Thames
- Kirklees
- Knowsley
- Lancashire
- Lambeth
- Leeds
- Lewisham
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Merton
- Newham
- North East Lincolnshire
- North Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- Oldham
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Redbridge
- Richmond upon Thames
- Rochdale
- Rotherham
- Salford
- Sefton
- Sheffield
- Slough
- Southampton
- Southwark
- St Helens
- Stockport
- Sutton
- Tameside
- Tower Hamlets
- Trafford
- Wakefield
- Waltham Forest
- Wandsworth
- Warrington
- West Berkshire
- Westminster
- Wigan
- Windsor & Maidenhead
- Wirral
- Wokingham
- York