Fixed Points

Fixed Points in TimeTabler

Fixed Points are an important part of any timetable.
By 'Fixed Points' we mean items like:

• -- Upper School Games is ALWAYS on Wednesday afternoon and must be assigned there (and Locked in place),
• -- Whole-school PSHE is always on Thursday-period-1,
• -- Some students in Year 10 always go to the local college (or leisure centre, etc) on Tuesday afternoon,
• -- Some schools in a MAT (multi-academy trust) or federation decide to share the same Physics lessons on-line on Monday-period-3,
• etc.

[We wouldn't include Registration periods in 'Fixed Points', as it is usually best to omit Registration during the scheduling stage, and add it later (if your MIS requires it) once the schedule is complete; see the article on Adding a Registration Period]

It is best to enter all the Fixed Points into their own (single) Batch, as a 'Fixed Points Batch'. See:
-- Sections H1 and D5 in the printed Manual,
-- Section 21 in the QuickStart Guide,
-- Press a Help button, click on the Index Tab, and enter "Fixed Points Batch".

You have the option, while entering a Fixed Point activity into your Batch, to say where you wish it to be placed (eg: Weds, period 4).  If you do this, then when you schedule, it will automatically be placed there for you.   Alternatively, you can decide during scheduling.

Note: for meetings, etc which are not fixed (can go anywhere in the week), don't used Fixed Points; a meeting that can move is best represented by a Special Location.