One day and two day courses are available

TIMETABLE PLANNING

This one day course deals with the planning of timetable requirements. It will begin with the establishment of good practice in designing and costing timetable models and will discuss how educational aims might be reconciled with staffing limitations. It will examine the various constraints which make timetables difficult to construct and their importance will be highlighted with appropriate examples. The value of feasibility studies will be described. The importance of a strong timetable structure will be promoted. There will be a consideration of how computer packages might underpin good planning and information on those available currently will be given.

TIMETABLE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION

The first day of this course is the one day course described above. The second day will involve the construction of a timetable for a hypothetical school which will simulate the real experience of timetabling within the time limitations of the course.

This two day course is aimed at a wide audience. The newcomer will experience an extensive but accessible introduction to timetabling issues. The experienced timetabler might find new ways of viewing timetabling. It will show how careful preparation and systematic construction can encourage the effective realisation of the curricular aims of the school. The courses are practical in nature being based on the presenter's experience of timetabling a large secondary school. Course members will be introduced to strategies, artefacts and proforma which help keep control of the timetabling process and will be given explanatory documentation with appropriate exercises. The course deals with general principles not dependent on any medium; however the potential of computer packages is kept in mind.