Introduction to effective timetabling

This is an intensive, 3-day secondary school timetabling course for those becoming involved in constructing the school timetable for the first time or those who need an overview of the basics of the theory and practice of timetabling, particularly with a focus on Curriculum for Excellence.

'How Good is our School 4' states that the school curriculum should have a clear vision of the school and its community. The needs of the learner should be at the centre of curriculum design and development. The school timetable is the vehicle which supports the delivery of an effective curriculum. The skills of the timetabler are key to bringing any curriculum design to fruition.

Programme summary

The course will:

  • develop timetablers' basic skills and the techniques required to produce a secondary school timetable
  • provide a series of in-depth practical exercises based around a real school timetable and real curriculum designs
  • promote efficiency within timetabling
  • provide an opportunity to share curriculum structures and development ideas with fellow timetablers
  • introduce techniques that can widen curricular offerings to learners
  • demonstrate software that supports the timetabling process

Who the course is for

  • headteachers
  • senior school managers
  • principal teachers
  • business managers
  • staff with a keen interest in learning how to timetable

Course information

We run three courses each year, in November, December and January. Each course lasts for 3 days (Wed - Fri).

There will be 20 places available for the online course and  25 places for each of the in-person courses.

The course dates for 2024/25 are:

  • Wednesday 6 - Friday 8 November 2024 (In person - Central Edinburgh)
  • Wednesday 4 - Friday 6 December 2024 (In person - Central Edinburgh)
  • Wednesday 15 - Friday 17 January 2025 (Online) 

Fee

The  course fee is £580.

Paying the course fee

By invoice

If your employer or local authority is providing payment of your course fee, please ensure that the following information is included in the booking form:

  • Name and postal address of organisation which will be making the payment
  • Purchase order number
  • Email address to which our invoice should be sent

Any copies of purchase orders should be sent to professionallearning@ed.ac.uk 

By credit card

Credit card payments can be made by ePay.

ePay privacy policy

For further information:

Email the Professional Learning Team

Booking

Please complete and submit the relevant form below to book a place.

Please note that places are limited for November 2024. Please contact professionallearning@ed.ac.uk if you are interested in the November course.

 

Book a place for December 2024

Book a place for January 2025

Student testimonials

Engaging delivery, content was excellent, and I feel I have a solid grounding in the theory and basic application of timetabling

It provides me with the confidence to create a timetable when the time comes.

Inclusion of practical exercises was extremely helpful.

Thank you for managing to condense a huge process into 3 days in a useful and clear manner.