Overview article for all analysis from 2024 DfE datasets
We are in the process of generating benchmarks from the national dataset published by the DfE following the 2024 examinations at KS4 and KS5. Alps is only one of seven companies that are given access to the full dataset by the DfE.
At KS4, we received national data from the DfE for both the Summer 2022 and Summer 2023 outcomes. We have used this data to update our Connect and Summit platforms, ensuring that our KS4 customers are viewing their value-added analysis against the most relevant national dataset.
At KS5 however, the pandemic years have meant that the DfE have not released any national data since 2019. Therefore, this 2019 DfE dataset has been our default benchmark in Connect and Summit since 2019. In response to the lack of DfE national data, we have since August 2022 generated an Alps Provider benchmark for Key Stage 5 qualifications. This has been available for analysis via a benchmark toggle from within the platform.
Following the 2024 examinations, the DfE have released the full national dataset to us, and we have been able to generate benchmarks for A level and vocational qualifications.
As benchmarks are generated we will update this article with headline analysis and use it to signpost where to find more information.
The articles will also outline how these new benchmarks will be used across the Connect and Summit platforms and our recommendations on how to select the most appropriate benchmark according to academic year and cohort.
Each successive qualification will have benchmarks generated and released into Connect and Summit in line with the timeline shown below. Note that the new benchmarks will apply to schools and colleges in England and international providers.
Timeline:
1. 01/05/2025
A level England - the 2024 DfE benchmark set will be integrated with Connect and Summit.
The 2024 DfE national dataset will be deployed retrospectively to all gradepoints for the KS5 for the academic year 2023-2024. This will include the results from 2024. This will therefore replace the previous 2019 DfE benchmark.
We will also replace the Alps Provider benchmark for 2023-2024, therefore analysis for this cohort will be identical on either the national or provider benchmark toggle.
Note that the LIBF qualifications will also form part of this release.
Monitoring 2024-2025: The 2019 DfE national benchmark will remain the default benchmark for these students. This is because we feel this is the most representative benchmark for this cohort in terms of prior attainment and outcome context.
2. 01/05/2025
KS5 L3 vocational England (BTEC and Cam Tec) - the 2024 DfE benchmark set will be integrated with Connect and Summit.
The 2024 DfE national dataset will be deployed retrospectively to all gradepoints for the KS5 for the academic year 2023-2024. This will include the results from 2024. This will therefore replace the previous 2019 DfE benchmark.
We will also replace the Alps Provider benchmark for 2023-2024, therefore analysis for this cohort will be identical on either the national or provider benchmark toggle.
Monitoring 2024-2025: The 2019 DfE national benchmark will remain the default benchmark for these students. This is because we feel this is the most representative benchmark for this cohort in terms of prior attainment and outcome context.
However, we recognise that the 2024 DfE dataset has been able to generate value-added analysis for a larger number of vocational qualifications. Therefore we have decided to add the 2024 DfE dataset to the Provider toggle for these cohorts to allow you to have some ability to measure value-added. You will need to switch your benchmark to the Alps Provider benchmark to access analysis for these additional qualifications. The caution from us is that these will measured against the 2024 value-added context rather than the 2019 context, which is likely to be more similar to the 2025 results.
3. 08/05/2025
KS5 L3 vocational England (additional) - the 2024 DfE benchmark set will be integrated with Connect and Summit.
L3 qualifications which will form part of this release will include: UAL, WJEC - more information can be found in the vocational article above
4. 14/05/2025
IB England - the 2024 DfE benchmark set will be integrated with Connect and Summit.
The dataset will be deployed to gradepoints affecting the KS5 2024 cohort only and will not be applied to gradepoints used to monitor current Year 12 and 13 students. These cohorts will remain on the 2019 DfE dataset.
More information on the IB decisions will be available from 28 April 2025.
5. 18/06/2025
KS4 England - the 2024 DfE benchmark set will be integrated with Connect and Summit.
The dataset will be deployed to gradepoints affecting the KS4 2024 cohort and subsequent cohorts, ie current Year 10 and 11 gradepoints.
All KS4 qualifications will be included in this release.
More information will be available in early June 2025
6. Autumn 2025
T levels KS5 England - the 2024 DfE benchmark set will be integrated with Connect and Summit.
Decisions about the release of the T level benchmarks and the gradepoints affected will be made in early June and more information will be made available from this article.
Headline analysis from the 2024 DfE datasets
Headlines:
1. A level England
The unique context of the 2024 outcomes and baseline means that we recommend only using this dataset for cohorts who completed A levels in 2024. The Alps Provider benchmark generated in August 2024 has proved to be comparable to this national dataset.
The switch of your examination gradepoint for 2024 to this DfE benchmark is likely to yield very similar value-added analysis.
2. L3 Vocational KS5 - article available from 17/04/2025:
As with A level, the outcomes and baseline for the 2024 results are likely to remain unique to the cohort who completed courses in Summer 2024. The recommendation remains
3. IB England - article available from 28/04/2025
4. KS4 England - article available from 09/06/2025
5. T levels England - article available from 16/06/2025