In Conversation With… Owen Wood, Radyr Comprehensive School

At Alps, we love seeing how schools are using our platform to make data more meaningful and accessible for staff and students alike. In this edition of In Conversation With…, we caught up with Owen Wood, Deputy Head Teacher at Radyr Comprehensive School in Wales.

Owen shared how Alps has simplified the school’s approach to data, replacing complex systems with a clear, intuitive platform that everyone can use confidently.

From helping staff quickly identify where to focus their efforts through tools like the ‘What If?’ analysis, to driving impressive improvements in outcomes at Key Stage 5, Owen explains how Alps has empowered teachers at Radyr to make informed decisions that translate directly into student success. 

Why did Radyr Comprehensive School Choose Alps?

“We’d used a range of different in-house methods and packages we’d bought in to analyse data. But what we always found was, that was a bit clunky, and it was a bit difficult for our staff to understand. Whereas what we’ve got with Alps is a really simple system.”

How easy do staff find Alps to use?

“The beauty of Alps is that you don’t need a lot of staff training to understand the whole system.  

‘So, I feel that almost every member of staff in this school understands the thermometer really well; what it means to be in the Red Zone, what it means to be in the Blue Zone.* In the ‘red hot’ when you’re doing really well, and then when you need to improve if you’re lower down in the Blue Zone. 

‘The biggest benefit for staff I suppose that I, that we, use in this school, is the ‘What If?’ analysis tool, where staff can look on average how many pupils need to improve in this subject to move up that thermometer. And they know, that’s giving students better life chances, but also ensuring that they are getting better value-added results for the school and for the performance of their subject. 

• *Red in Alps terms means matching the top 25% against national benchmarks 
• Blue in Alps terms means matching the bottom 25% against national benchmarks 

How has Alps made a difference to student outcomes?

“Alps Connect is so clear in telling you how many students you need to improve, and as long as we as a team are confident that we can identify those students using the ‘What If?’ analysis, then that intervention can be done immediately. 

‘We’ve seen huge strides in that subject area at Key Stage 5, and our results last summer. We’re ‘Outstanding’, our students achieved 70% A*, A (so 70% of our students got an ‘A’ grade or above) in Welsh BAC, and 99% of our students got above a ‘C’ grade. Every student in our sixth form takes that subject, so that’s 140 students, and that’s making a huge difference.”

To learn more about how Alps supports schools and colleges in Wales, click here.

This video was originally published in May 2024. You can watch the full video with Owen here:

End note from Alps:

We currently work with over 1,200 schools and colleges and 95 Groups and MATs in the UK and internationally, offering our high-quality analysis at both KS4 and KS5.

If you do not use Alps, but are interested in how Alps could support you to improve your outcomes, do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly team at [email protected]. You can also call us 01484 887600 and we will be delighted to speak to you, or you can book a demo with one of our knowledgeable team here.