Uploading Ascent KS3 Start Bands

Uploading Ascent KS3 Start Bands

Preparing Data

In Alps Ascent, students require a starting point from which progress is measured. This is called the Start Band. At the beginning of KS3, each student is assigned a start band based on available prior attainment data, this might be KS2 scores, CAT4 results, teacher assessment, or a combination of these. The start band represents where a student is expected to perform and all progress measurement flows from it. In Alps Ascent, the number and naming of the start bands is fully configurable, so schools can use their own language and match the number of bands they use.

Start Band files need to be a csv file, structured with the following columns: Student ID, Tutor Group, Start Band

Example Data

Example 1: Descriptor Bands
Student ID
Tutor Group
Start Band
HS123
9H
Accelerating
HS124
9A
Developing
HS125
9A
Emerging
HS126
9F
Developing
HS127
9P
Enabling
HS128
9H
Accelerating

Example 2: KS4 Target Grades
Student ID
Tutor Group
Start Band
HS123
9H
5
HS124
9A
6
HS125
9A
6
HS126
9F
7
HS127
9P
9
HS128
9H
6

Importing Start Bands

To import the start bands file into Alps Ascent, navigate to the Data Management tab and select Start Bands. If needed, a template file can be downloaded in this page:


Once the csv file is prepared, click Upload File to open the import page. Select the Academic Year you are importing for and click next.


Select your csv file for import and click Upload. 


Once imported, the file will be checked for errors. If any errors are found, you will need to correct the file and reimport. If no errors are found green ticks will appear and you will be prompted to start mapping your start bands: 


Start Band Mapping

Navigate to the Start Band Mappings page, either via the above page or via the Settings tab. 

In this page the table shows the start band values imported in your data and the corresponding score values. Drag and drop your start bands to order them from the top band to the lowest band, with the lowest band scoring 1. When ordered, click Save Changes.


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