Worked Example 1

Worked Example 1: pros and cons

In Section I of the Manual, Worked Example 1 explains how to use TimeTabler in small schools, including special schools, AP. PRU or Referral Units where students follow individual learning programmes.
This is a very powerful technique for small schools, and for schools with small ‘sixth forms’ (years 12/13).
Before using it, please consider its pros and cons - here they are:

      Advantages / Pros:

1.
It is particularly good where students have a variety of groupings in no set pattern.
For example, ‘vertical’ (mixed-age) groupings of students, mixed ad hoc groupings, schools where the students are not in clear Forms/TutorGroups, schools where students in the ‘sixth form’ (years 12/13) choose unusual combinations of subjects and so fixed blocks are too restricting.
In these situations the method can find a surprising amount of flexibility, leading to timetable solutions which could not be obtained in other ways.

2.
It allows easy printouts of Individual Student Timetables (because the students are treated like Teachers, so the Staff Timetables automatically give Student Timetables).
(Note: for printouts, on the Individual Staff Timetable screen, go to 'Advanced' then tick 'Student timetables' ... each student's lesson details [subject & room] will then be found from their teacher's details - more details in the notes below).

      Disadvantages / Cons:

1.
There is a limit that the total of staff + students must be less than 400 ...but in practice it would be difficult to maintain accuracy of data with this many students. Once you have more than 80-100 students it is increasingly difficult to maintain accuracy.
The maximum number of teachers + students in any teaching group (see page 3) is 90.

2.
If you try to import the resulting timetable into your MIS admin system it may not be able to make sense of it, because it is based on individual students and not Forms/Tutor-Groups.  Many MIS can import it, but some may struggle, so please check with your MIS Supplier.   Any doubts, let us know.

Any questions; please ask us via the Support Centre.