The following e-mail is unfortunately not uncommon: We are in a major falling roll situation and need to look at the curriculum to reflect this. If we don't reduce staff costs we will be bust by 2011! 
This scenario is one that many schools may well find themselves facing. For some this is seen as a threat but for others it could well be an opportunity. At the very least it should stimulate a very healthy discussion regarding curriculum design and realisation. Continue reading →
A number of schools, for a variety of reasons, are looking to change the structure of the school day.
On the surface this seems a relatively simple task but there can be several hidden consequences and pose management challenges and also exercise the mind and skills of the timetabler. These changes would normally be made for the start of an academic year but this is not always the case. Continue reading →
Schools are asking 'is it possible to timetable and what impact will it have on other areas of the school'?
In recent weeks MIST Services has received a number of enquiries with regard to introducing a competency curriculum in year 7. It is seen as an essential step in easing the transition from primary school, motivating learners and raising achievement overall. Continue reading →
Raising levels of achievement especially in English and Mathematics is now very high on the agenda of most schools and academies across the land.
Schools are being set challenging targets and are responding to these in many different ways. Traditionally schools review their curriculum during the autumn term with the view to making changes for the following academic year. In a few cases the challenge of raising achievement has been so great Continue reading →
MIST Services have seen school timetabling and curriculum requirements change over the years and would like to pose some questions and topic areas for consideration.
Traditional vs. new
Some school leaders and teachers have a view that many schools operate a very 'traditional' school timetable i.e. underpinned by a traditional curriculum, which doesn't cater for the individual learner and their aspirations. Some say that the way students learn has changed over the years due to environment and technology enhancements but having said this, timetables produced don't necessarily embrace such enhancements. Continue reading →
MIST Services help many schools timetable diplomas and would like to pose some questions and topic areas for consideration.
Consideration to diplomas
Diplomas have been starting to come into school timetables for the last couple of timetabling seasons and are creating an ever increasing challenge for schools and the timetabler! In summary the diplomas are generally opted for by small numbers (or percentage) of students in comparison to the cohort as a whole. It has literally been known to be in a timetable for one student but is typically in the region of six to twelve students. Continue reading →
The task of writing a timetable has been getting harder over the years and in fact schools are currently introducing many new initiatives that are resulting in timetables being harder than ever to get great results.
The changing and challenging timetable!
The change schools are going through with diplomas, three year Key stage 4, fast tracking of students, increased number of part time staff, implementing primary models such as learn to learn, opening minds etc are all playing a factor on timetables getting harder. In other words making the timetablers job harder! Because the changes generally have an impact on the curriculum design and organisation of students it is our belief that Continue reading →
MIST Services works with many schools, Academies and colleges each year and has found that many of these schools found it the hardest season to date.
Why is timetabling hard?
The reasons for such a hard year is generally down to one of several factors: Continue reading →
MIST Services have seen an increase in the number of schools wanting (or needing) to re-write their timetable after it has been implemented, but do they understand the complications?
How do you know? MIST Services have seen an increase in the number of schools wanting (or needing) to re-write their timetable after it has been implemented. This is quite a major decision and should never be taken lightly as an improved timetable may or not be achievable. Schools typically wish to re-write all or part of the timetable for various reasons, some include: Continue reading →
The simple answer is yes your curriculum plan can be scheduled (or timetabled). There isn't a curriculum plan that cannot be scheduled (so long as it mathematically adds up!). The only time a curriculum cannot be timetabled is if it is drawn wrong i.e it isn't actually what you want to timetable (or your logic is incorrect).
How come everything is possible? The reason every curriculum plan is possible is because initially it doesn't know the members of staff who teach the subjects, it doesn't consider accommodation demands, it doesn't consider spread of lesson to name a few factors. A curriculum plan only becomes impossible when staffing and real life constraints are applied! Continue reading →
