NOVA-T6: Extra Lessons

[dthomson]

Hi all,

 

I've just been appointed as our timetabler, and a common thing that seems to come through - but our previous timetablers had various approaches to - is how to place additional lessons. The examples I'm thinking of are classes that currently exist, but where some sort of clash has meant that one of their lessons can no longer exist at a certain time and is being moved to another time.

 

For example, not through a clash but just preference, a Year 13 Chemistry group, 13D has a lesson on a Thursday Period 5 (as do all Year 13 groups in Block D). However, the teacher and all the students are free Period 4, so the teacher wants the lesson moved the period before. This is during Block E, so the three options I can see are:

 

1. Use Alternative Curriculum to create an extra chemistry lesson, and reduce 13D from 10 per fortnight to 9 per fortnight

2. Give Block D an extra hour, place it as a clash with Block E on Thursday Period 4 and move the teacher's lesson from Period 5 to 4

3. Create 13E Chemistry, which currently doesn't exist, and give them one lesson on Thursday Period 4 and populate with the same student, and reduce 13D from 10 per fortnight to 9 per fortnight

 

I have a similar thing with Greek, who want an additional two lessons per fortnight.

 

In my mind, Option 1 and 3 both create additional classes to be populated with students which is extra work (not much, granted) and means additional classes that could be accidentally included for Reports etc, even though it's just an extension of 13D. Option 2 on instinct seems best. However, my instinct comes from being a week in post so I would appreciate any thoughts from others. There are plenty of other posts around that seem to advocate use of Alternative Curriculum...but is that the best approach?

 

Thanks for your time,

 

Drew

[MkII]

In instances like this where one lesson deviates from the block/ model, I add a lesson to the block, only allocate one period to the extra lesson and leave the rest of the classes a period short.

[ragcsg]

We also use option 2. In particular I find that it allows the class to retain it's class code which simplifies things like assessment and reporting cycles.

[dthomson]

Thanks both for the speedy responses, much appreciated. It’s pleasing to see Option 2 being supported, suggesting my instincts are pretty good in this instance! (I’m sure they’ll get in the way in other moments...)

[smarties11]

Yep definitely option 2, that's what I do. You can right click and block the extra period on the other subjects in the block to prevent it being used. This makes the period turn black for those subjects.