Using Derived Years to create vertical blocks

Overview

Derived Years provide a mechanism for defining block(s) which serve more than one year group. These are often referred to as “vertical” blocks.

For example, a Sixth Form block may be required for students in years 12 and 13.

In use

The following example illustrates the process of creating an option block for year 12 band a and the whole of year 13. When this is exported to SIMS .net, the tick grid in Academic Management will automatically list students in 12a and 13 for placement in the C6 band and any associated classes.

1. Firstly, it is necessary to create a year group in T6 that can be used for the common sixth form structure.

	2. Create a new year group called C6 (common sixth form) and associate it with national curriculum Year 12 (it could have been 12 or 13). Do not edit the number of students belonging to this year.
	3. Right-click the Band area of the Model and select Add Derived from the menu displayed. The graphic illustrates the structure that has been created in year C6.

4. Assuming that it is intended for the common structure to serve Year 12 band a, and Year 13, change to each of these Year Groups and repeat step 2.

	5. Return to Year C6, right-click the derived block and select Derive From | 13:a 6. Repeat, this time selecting Derive From | 12:a
	What has been defined is the destination year C6 as being sourced from 13:a (94 students) and 12:a (49 students). Thus, any blocks created in the new band C6 will be expected to serve 143 students.

Suppose that the intention is to provide six groups of Citizenship for these 143 students.

7. Simply drag the subject Ci into the area used for blocks (just to the right of the derived structure). Define one period and create six groups.

The block in the preceding graphic has been given identifier C and title Citizenship.

8. Change to Year 12 and look at the derived structure.

The number of periods for band 12a is now 24 (whereas previously it was 23). In other words, the one period block in year C6 counts towards the entitlement of year 12, band a. The same applies to year 13.

In scheduling the sixth form structure, when the Citizenship block in year C6 is placed at a particular period, T6 will prevent any block serving 12a or 13a from being scheduled at the same time. This prevents double-booking of students. The auto-schedule routines also work to this system.

Simon Wood
eLIM, June 2013