ICB assignments - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Aleksandra · Senior Member

ICB assignments

ES · Veteran Member

Only had 1 experience with Ideal schools and never would I recommend them. It took weeks to get assignments back and then they wouldn't mark them because of the format I used. I also struggled to understand the course notes so gave up on the exam and then came back to do it and still couldn't understand the notes, so did the exam on my own and passed. I'm obviously not stupid as I passed the exam on my own without any course notes or a text book and I did it in a week!

I recommend Training Link, have always had answers to queries and assignments marked with in hours, even at weekends!! Course notes are easy to understand.

Aleksandra · Senior Member

Not good to read it as I've already paid for the whole course :(

Peasie · Expert

My experience of Ideal Schools has generally been good. A couple of times assignments have been lost in cyberspace so it's just a case of forwarding them on again.

You don't have to pass Level I before they send out Level II materials - they will send it out automatically when you are nearing the end of level I.

Regarding your own assignments - I would either phone them up or email them to ask if they received them. Looking back at my own records, they were usually taking about three to four days, sometimes a week so I reckon one or more of them (assignments) has gone missing.

My overall experience with them means I WOULD recommend them.

hondagirl · Veteran Member

Hi, i used premier training and having done level 1 and 2 manual and computerised I have to say Id totally recommend them, to not hear back within a week of sending an assignment in would be unusual, over 3 weeks would be unacceptable in my eyes.
id be chasing up like mad!x

Aleksandra · Senior Member

I'll email them tomorrow and see what's going on.
Thanks for all replies.

Aleksandra · Senior Member

I received the assignment 2 back this afternoon, but still waiting for the assignment number one.
I can notice, that it was marked very fast, as the person managed to make an error while marking, but I'll leave it... :)
Like I've read in one of the other topics on the forum, no personal touch at all - just "well done 95%" in the top right corner.

attilabenko · Guru

Hi,

I would recommend Ideal Schools, I only had good experience with them. When you don't hear from them for long time - same as everywhere - you better ring them. If the person marking it made a mistake you should ask them, at the end of the day you are the one studying and maybe there is no mistake only you believe you are right and carry on with the wrong knowledge. I would clarify it with them.
Also lot of people said about the missing personal touch. Well, they don't know you, it is distance learning so it is probably difficult to write anything personal.
I have to admit it is annoying when you don't get your assignment back quick enough and level 1 is fairly easy so you would like to get on with your studies faster....

Aleksandra · Senior Member

Well, I am sure it was that person's mistake he crossed £1000 and wrote £1050, but on the 'suggested answers' sheet is £1000 (exactly how I've done it). Never mind...
It's just a silly mistake... I'm sure that person was just tired :)

You are right, it's hard to write any personal comments to someone you've never met. Maybe would be better if the same person marked all your assignments? I am not sure...

I've only just started, so will see what my own experience with them is going to be like.

albascott · Member

Aleksandra

Stick with it....as I've said elsewhere on the forum today I have had nothing but a good experience.

I always assumed they had thousands of students and didn't know who I was....I didn't expect a personal touch unless I phoned them or emailed them. As for the corrections there is sometimes not a lot to say - it is right or it is wrong! I always found that I understood where I had gone wrong and what I'd done well.

As for the assignments....3 weeks was never my experience and I think there must be a mistake of some kind. The guy I spoke to was Brian....try him and he should get it sorted.

The exam results and my experience would suggest you stick with it....best of luck.

albascott

Aleksandra · Senior Member

I've emailed them, and they sent my marked assignment straight after. So everything is sorted now.
I am waiting now for another 3 assignments to come back.

Yes, I always contact Brian too. He seems to be very helpful.

When do you think they will send me another set of materials to study?

Thanks
Aleksandra

albascott · Member

Aleksandra

Glad it is sorted.

With me they always sent the next work automatically as I got to the end of the section before....no delays experienced.

albascott

Addenuff · Member

Hi Guys

I'm new to the forum and just read your threads re Ideal Schools. OMG I can't believe you're unhappy with them. I did my training a couple of years ago and after extensive research of all the distance learning providers recommended by the ICB I settled with Ideal. Not just because they were so much more reasonably priced than some of the other colleges but I contacted them first and instantly I was sold. They are the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. I get your point re impersonal but as one of the other members said - this is distance learning. I always found that if my mistake was obvious ie simply either right or wrong understandably there was nothing more to add just a grade. However if there was any feedback it was addressed to me and really thorough. I used to post my assignments, (tried the whole spreadsheet thing - It would take me longer to do that than it would to do the actual assignment)! In my experience assignments were marked and returned within 7-10days - Good old Royal Mail caused most of the delays! Whenever I needed to ring they couldn't be more helpful.

Good luck with the rest of your studies. If you have any other problems, I'd ring them, If the staff are the same (Brian and Scot) they'll be on it straight away.

Aleksandra · Senior Member

Hi,

Addenuff, I hope my experience with Ideal Schools will be as good as yours.
I've just received an email from Brian, I'll have my Level 2 materials delivered tomorrow...

I am happy with the price and study materials. Brian is always nice and helpful... Maybe it's just me being impatient...

Addenuff · Member

Hey

I hope so too. I can defo relate to being impatient. I was always so eager to receive my assignments back. It was all I could think about - easy to forget sometimes that there are probably hundreds of other students in the same boat!
Sounds like you're ploughing through quickly! Be doing the exam soon!!! biggrin

Peasie · Expert

Wasn't there someone from Ideal Schools on this forum before or was that just my imagination?

Wella · Expert

Peasie wrote:

Wasn't there someone from Ideal Schools on this forum before or was that just my imagination?

Quite right Peasie

Brian McVean, used to pop on here now and then.

Like most of the others, I found Ideal Schools to be excellent. Also like the others, the only critisism, I would have, is the delay in returning assignments. i would start and ussually complete the next one before the previous was returned, which did delay me completing earlier than I did.

Bill

Peasie · Expert

A lot of the time I would just send my assignment and continue with the next one, then the next one. The only time I would delay is if I had struggled with an assignment and the next lesson was directly related to the previous one.

Now I'm stalled on the final assignment of my payroll course. I done all the manual assignments and all the sage parts of the computerised payroll section. It's just the "written" section of the final assignment which would take normal people about five or ten minutes to do. But I just look at the blank page and think "I can't be bothered with this". I mean, how many marks can I lose by even missing it out. Part of me is tempted to copy and paste the lyrics of "Whiter shade of pale" just to fill the gap on the page.

EDIT : I've had that blank page since the 10th November. I have the email in my "Drafts " folder ready to post with all the pdf files from Sage.

-- Edited by Peasie on Tuesday 8th of February 2011 12:38:01 PM

Brian McVean · Senior Member

Hi All,

As you have highlighted, Wella, I've not contributed to the forum for some time, for reasons that I'll not drone on about. I've noticed that many former students still speak fondly about their time with Ideal Schools and we hold good relationships with many students after their studies have been completed. Long may this continue.

One point that is raised quite often is the issue of marking times, and this is something we have addressed. Aleksandra, who started this post, had not received an email containing her corrected work. This was re-sent within a short time of her emailing me personally. The original correction was emailed to her 4 days after her submission!! We now aim for a turnaround time of 4-7 days, depending on the volume of work, and this allows the student continuity with their study.

I'm sure anyone reading this will agree that quality of marking is very important, and every assignment is scrutinised carefully. Marking a single assignment does not take 4 days, but with significant volumes we have to ensure quality across the board.

A big hello & thanks to Aleksandra, Peasie, Wella, Addenuff, Albascott & attilabenko for your constructive & helpful input.

Kind regards
Brian McVean

Aleksandra · Senior Member

Wella wrote:

Peasie wrote:

Wasn't there someone from Ideal Schools on this forum before or was that just my imagination?
Quite right Peasie

Brian McVean, used to pop on here now and then.

I think, he still does :)

Aleksandra · Senior Member

Wow !
I've just received my level 2 materials plus all marked assignments inside !!!

I am very impressed.

Thank you Brian.