For our formal training course dates and locations please visit SIMS Nova Timetabling – 3 day course (2+1 days)
SBS has created a range of remotely delivered timetabling training courses to help you build next year’s timetable or develop your own skills.
1 FREE module and 6 individual modules at £50. Choose the modules to suit your requirements. Should you complete all modules we have additional topics to enhance your knowledge!
Staff in secondary schools with responsibility for constructing and maintaining the timetable. Staff using school closures to benefit from CPD training.
1. FREE 1-hour Introduction to Curriculum Planning
2. Preparation module
We believe the above are mandatory to gain understanding of key principles prior to the start of learning how to use Nova T
3. 5 core modules
These will provide the essential knowledge to create a 1-week timetable and are ideal for a new timetabler, or individual modules could be purchased as refreshers
4. Additional modules
These cover a range of resources in Nova T6 that can be used understand the costs of a timetable and assist in the process of building / scheduling a timetable
Course/Modules | Details | Date | Cost(£) |
---|---|---|---|
Introduction to Curriculum Planning | Introduction to Curriculum Planning – 1 Hr (Presentation using PowerPoint and Excel).
After this tutorial you will understand the terminology used in planning a timetable, know what the key decisions are to make when planning a timetable, and on overtview of the different approaches to creating a timetable.
|
TBC | Free |
Module 1 – Preparation | A. Introduction to Nova-T – 45 mins (Demonstration of Nova-T).
After this tutorial you will know how to open the program Nova T, understand the purpose of all the menus in Nova, understand the which steps need to be done when.
|
TBC | £50 |
B. How does Nova – T link into SIMS 45 mins (Demonstration using Nova and SIMS)
This demonstration will explore how Nova integrates with SIMS, gain an understanding of the impact of Nova on Assessment, Exams and the Post 16 Census and the impact on 6th form funding.
|
TBC | ||
Module 2 – Making a start | A. Preparing to start next year’s timetable. 60 mins (Demonstration and Practical Exercise)
These demonstrations and practical activities will help you start the process of creating next year’s timetable and how to start changing it to meet next year’s needs.
|
TBC | £50 |
B. The Cycle menu in Nova 30 mins (Demonstration and Practical Exercise)
This unit will enable you to understand the Cycle Tab of Nova and how it can be used to customise the timetable to meet next year’s requirements.
|
TBC | ||
Module 3 – Module menu | A. The Model menu in Nova 45 mins (Demonstration and Practical Exercise)
During this session you gain a good understanding of the Model tab of Nova change the number of lessons and subjects delivered in each year group. We will also discuss various methods getting the right number pupils in each class. We will explore Option Blocks, Classes taught in reg group classes and subject taught in sets
|
TBC | £50 |
B. The Model menu in Nova 45 mins (Demonstration and Practical Exercise)
This unit will explore various methods getting the right number pupils in each class and will explore ways of meeting the needs of a 6th Form. |
TBC | ||
Module 4 – Classes | A. The Classes and Sessions menus in Nova 45 mins
During this session we will explore how to link teachers to classes and deal with rooming constraints such as 8 science teachers and only 5 labs or only 1 Food Tech Room.
|
TBC | £50 |
B. NCC Tab in Nova (Non-Class Codes) 45 mins
During this session we will explore how we can set up rules to ensure classes do not happen when part time teachers are not working, we will explore how Nova can be used manage staff rotas and PPA lessons.
• Including soft and hard locks |
TBC | ||
Module 5 | A. The Block, Band and Auto Tabs in Nova 90 mins
During this session we explore the menus related to building blocks and scheduling the timetable, practicing using the auto-scheduler and manually scheduling.
• Building All blocks Automatically |
TBC | £50 |
B. Dealing with problems encountered during the scheduling process 90 mins
We will find solutions to the various situations that cause scheduling to fail. From finding alternative teachers, reschedule sections of the timetable to exploring how we can break some of the defined rules to find a solution.
• 1pd Rule |
TBC | ||
Module 6 – Distribution | A. Preparing to distribute the timetable: 90 mins
This unit will cover the process of allocating rooms to classes and dealing with classes with no rooms.
We will demonstrate all the types of reports that can be run in Nova along with how to bulk print staff and rooms and how to download the timetable to SIMS. |
TBC | £50 |
Modules can be purchased individually @ £50 as required for refreshing your knowledge, or as a full course with all modules (recommended for new timetablers) for a discounted price of £250
Additional Modules | Details | Date & Time | Cost(£) |
---|---|---|---|
Timetable Enhancements 90 minutes | This module will show how the routines Analysis, Combing Charts, Partial Schedule Trials, Clash Tables and how they can be used to understand the costs of the timetable, average class sizes and reduce the time taken to schedule the timetable. | TBC | £50 |
Preparing for the new Academic Year (Secondary) 90 Mins | This module provides an overview of the activities required in SIMS to prepare for the new academic year, from pastoral promotion, to populating the curriculum schemes, making pupils and staff leave. Dealing with option allocations, and the alternative curriculum. | TBC | £50 |
Creating a two-week timetable – 90 Minutes (Demonstration) | During this unit we will explore the different approaches to creating and scheduling a two-week timetable.
|
TBC | £50 |
Starting your timetable early – 90 Minutes (Demonstration) | Some schools start teaching their new courses in June as opposed to waiting for September. This module explores the best way of starting a September timetable in June.
|
TBC | £50 |
Dealing with Split Lunches and Breaks – 90 Minute | Due to the limitation of the dining rooms and play areas some schools are required to provide lunches or breaks to different years at different times
|
TBC | £50 |
Approaches to Scheduling 6th Form Classes – 90 Minute | We will look at some of the methods to enable classes to run with small numbers and review the different approaches to scheduling 6th form classes
|
TBC | £50 |
Using SIMS and Nova T to meet the needs of the SEN Dept – 90 Minutes | This module explores how to display teaching assistant timetables in SIMS and how to track where pupils with extra support are in school
|
TBC | £50 |
Should you require any further information please talk to us on 0345 222 1551 • option 3.
To reserve a space on this course please complete the booking form and email to training@schoolbusinessservices.co.uk
Registered office
SBS House, Marshes End, Upton Road, Poole, BH17 7AG
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