Using Year Blanking Codes in the model

Overview

Some schools operate a cycle in which certain year groups do not have access to certain periods. The sixth form may have lessons in twilight periods not used by other year groups, for example. Split lunches can result in similar rules needing to be observed by the scheduling routines. As the concept of an extended school day becomes more common, many schools may need to consider the use of blanks.

In use

1. Change to the relevant year in the Model screen, right-click the appropriate band area and select Add Year Blanking Code from the menu:

T6 creates a dummy block for the band, which can be extended across other bands if required by using the Ctrl-drag technique on the block’s lower edge.

2. Enter the number of periods needing to be blanked (2, in this example):

As can be seen in the preceding graphic, the blanking block counts towards the curriculum total entered for this year group – 16 periods including the 2 blanks.

This block does not require staffing. When eventually the blank is scheduled, it will be automatically locked to the period(s) and cannot be unlocked. That is, it cannot be moved (although it can be deleted and placed somewhere else). If the entire school misses the same period (such as last period on Friday), then one method of tracking this is to create a one period blanking block for each year group, then schedule them all at the same period.

Simon Wood
eLIM, June 2013