Timetable combing chart tool kit

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The 'combing’ tool is designed to be an independent piece of software that can easily be transported to any computer running Microsoft Excel.

The tool allows each subject leader (or Head of Department) to enter their staff, along with the teaching load and all the blocks they wish to ‘comb’. As teachers are allocated to blocks it will tell the Head of Department if they are over committing a colleague or not. Ultimately the Head of Department can click on the ‘comb’ button to see if their staffing combs into the school week or not!
The tool will also know the number of periods which is the ‘most efficient’ and as such the Head of Department to endeavour to comb into this figure.

Involving your Heads of Departments

As a timetabler you know the importance of good combing and although you have ‘tools’ to do the task the Head of Department doesn’t! As the timetabler you are relying on the Head of Department understanding what a combing chart is, appreciating the importance of them and then actually completing one correctly! With this tool it allows the Head of Department to adjust their staffing (teaching teams/pools) quickly and check what the impact has/hasn’t been! For some Heads of Department they can actually use the tool to help them define the teacher teams from ground up.
The tool has been designed as many schools each year spend a lot of time training their Heads of Departments on ‘combing charts’ and rely on them completing it correctly either on paper or creating spreadsheets. The time it can take the Head of Department to create one feasible solution often means they are reluctant to try any other permutation. With this tool they can very quickly try another ‘what-if’ scenario. Just remember efficient combing at departmental level helps the timetabler achieve a good timetable.

Non-software specific

The tool is designed to be used independently of any MIS (Management Information System) or Timetabling system and is targeted to the Head of Department. Various iterations can be created, shared amongst colleagues before a final version is sent to the timetabler or office administrators for entry into the MIS or Timetabing system.

Price

£19.95 +vat
Or buy any 3 tool kits for £49.95 +vat

Buy / Enquire now