Analysis and recommendations from 2024 DfE datasets – ENGLAND
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. 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 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.
For more information on the reasons for these decisions please see A level benchmark article – https://support.alps.education/portal/en/kb/articles/a-level-england-analysis-of-2024-dfe-national-dataset-march-2025
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 dataset will be deployed to gradepoints affecting the KS5 2024 cohort. Decisions on the use of this gradepoint for monitoring current Year 12 and 13 students will be taken by 17 April 2025.
More information on the L3 vocational decisions will be available by 17 April 2025.
L3 qualifications which will form part of this release will include: BTEC L3, Cam Tecs.
3. 08/05/2025
KS5 L3 vocational England (additional) – the 2024 DfE benchmark set will be integrated with Connect and Summit.
The dataset will be deployed to gradepoints affecting the KS5 2024 cohort. Decisions on the use of this gradepoint for monitoring current Year 12 and 13 students will be taken by 17 April 2025.
L3 qualifications which will form part of this release will include: UAL, WJEC, CACHE, EPQ, L3 Core Maths and LIBF
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.
The analysis of the DfE A level benchmark set and the comparison to the Alps customer benchmark can be found in this article: https://support.alps.education/portal/en/kb/articles/a-level-england-analysis-of-2024-dfe-national-dataset-march-2025
2. L3 Vocational KS5 – article available from 17/04/2025
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
Switching your benchmarks:
- A reminder of how to toggle between benchmarks within Connect and Summit: https://support.alps.education/portal/en/kb/articles/switching-your-benchmarks-in-connect-and-summit-26-3-2025
Need more information?
If you would like any further information, please contact one of our expert advisers.
