It’s always refreshing to hear from outside organisations about what’s working well in our schools that is due to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and supportive parents, St. Ignatius Catholic School has been recognised by ALPS (Advanced Level Performance System) as being in the top 1% of schools for exceptional progress at A Level. This recognition, based on our 2024 A-Level results, is a testament to the incredible strides our students have made, placing us among the top-performing A-Level schools globally (the top 1% in fact for the ‘click bait’).
What This Means for St. Ignatius
The ALPS award isn’t just a badge of honour for the school; it reflects the commitment of each student, teacher, and family member involved in this achievement. ALPS, a data analysis tool used by over 75% of A-Level schools in the UK and adopted worldwide, benchmarks student progress against national standards. This allows schools to pinpoint how well students are progressing, giving parents and educators the insights they need to support each student’s academic journey.
For me, this is a particularly rewarding moment. Having recently transitioned from a background of teaching for the highest achievements in IB Computer Science and ITGS to the A-Level pathway, I’m ecstatic to collaborate with educators who are truly at the top of their game. The energy, professionalism, and dedication to excellence that our A-Level teaching team brings to the classroom is unparalleled, setting a standard any school would be proud to uphold.
ALPS: A Key Tool in Our Success
At St. Ignatius, ALPS has become more than just a benchmarking tool. As part of my role, I oversee various educational data systems, ALPS stands out for three core features that have made a tremendous difference in our A-Level approach:
Performance Analysis
ALPS delivers detailed performance insights, helping us assess student progress against national, aspirational benchmarks. This level of precision ensures that every student’s potential is fully realised.
User-Friendly Tools
Designed with ease in mind, ALPS provides accessible, actionable insights that empower teachers and leaders to make informed decisions that improve student outcomes.
Target Setting and Monitoring
ALPS supports setting and achieving aspirational goals, tracking student progress in real-time, and identifying areas for improvement throughout the academic year. This structured approach has been a game-changer in monitoring and encouraging our students’ growth.
We are proud of this award, which reflects our commitment to providing an outstanding education that fosters both academic excellence and personal growth. As we continue to integrate ALPs and other cutting-edge educational tools, our goal remains clear: to provide every student with the opportunity to excel and make measurable progress on their academic journey.