Use this guide to create and apply a new Period Structure. Period Structures define the layout of the sessions in the Timetable week.
In this guide we will cover:
Access: : the permissions required to access Period Structures are found in the Curriculum module from Config>Set Up> Roles and Permissions
Also See: How To View/Edit an Existing Period Structure and advice on Changing your Period Structure Mid Year.
Tip: before you create a New Period Structure remember to check Defaults for Period Durations in Config>Curriculum>Configurations to ensure that the durations of the lessons you set when creating a New Period Structure match the Defaults. These Configurations are a global setting and will not impact on already created period structures.
In the example below AM and PM registration is set at 20 minutes maximum and Class Duration is set at 60 minutes with a Max Class Duration set at 90 minutes.
Creating a New Period Structure
To start, from the left Menu go to Config > Curriculum > Period Structures.
To create a new Period Structure click New.
First enter a Period Structure Name and then complete the details, the * denotes a mandatory field.
Note: Morning Begins is start of AM Session and Afternoon Begins* is after lunch.
If, in the No of Weeks box, you select a number greater than 1, then more Weeks will appear below Week 1.
Tick the weekday boxes to determine the number of Days in the Cycle and enter the total number of Days in timetable cycle.
In the example below the Days in timetable cycle* would be 10.
In this example the Days in timetable cycle* would be 5 i.e. Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri is 5 days
Leave the Available From* set to the day the Period Structure is created if the Structure is required for immediate application.
Note : The Available From* date is the date the Period Structure can be applied from.
When you are happy with your Create Period Structure panel click Next, this will open the Create Timetable Day Structure page displaying the name in the header.
IMPORTANT: The top left Set Split Lunch Periods is only for use in wTimetable.
You can now add the Periods for the Day by clicking the Add button and selecting the Period Type from the dropdown list. After a Period has been added a Delete button will be displayed, so you can select a Period and Delete it. The Period times will be filled automatically but can be manually changed.
Non Teaching Periods
- AS – After School
- PS – Pre School
- BR – Break
- LU – Lunch
Clubs and Detentions can be configured to take place in Non Teaching Periods with the ability to take a register.
IMPORTANT: The top left Set Split Lunch Periods toggle should only be used if using wTimetable see here.
You can then select the next day from the left and add the Periods for that day and the rest. If the Periods for the days are the same or similar you can use the Copy settings to all days button to populate all of the days, which you can then Save or Edit.
Different Period Structures on certain days;
In the example of having a different Period Structures on certain days i.e. an early finish on a Wednesday then create all days as the same Period Structure , click Save then go back and edit that particular day.
You can move back to the previous page at any time by clicking the Back button, you will be given a warning that you will lose any changes made on the current page. When finished click the Save button.
Note: Period Structures are not date-dependent so the same Period Structure can be applied to future date ranges, such as the next Academic Calendar, without having to be re-created.
Applying a Period Structure
Important Note: We would recommend to never Apply a Period Structure in the middle of an Academic Year. This is because Applying a Period Structure will delete any Timetable, Attendance, Cover, Behaviour and Calendar data for the date range that you are applying the Period Structure to. Depending on the changes you would like to make, it may be more appropriate to Edit an existing Period Structure instead. For more information please see How to View/Edit an Existing Period Structure. If you are in any doubt please contact the Bromcom Helpdesk prior to Applying the Period Structure to discuss.
From within Config > Curriculum > Period Structures select the period structure you would like to apply by clicking on it so that it highlights in blue.
Then click Apply at the top of the page.
The following pop-up will appear.
The Period Structure dropdown will be pre-populated with the Period Structure you selected. In the Apply Structure Between drop down, if you select Day Selector you will need to select the dates you would like to apply this Period Structure to. This is useful if you intend to have different Period Structures throughout the year.
You also have the option to select Academic Year Selector, which will open a drop down to select which Academic Year you would like to apply the Period Structure to. Using this option will apply the Period Structure to the entire Academic Year that you select.
In the Select 1st TT day select which timetabled day comes first in the date range you are applying the Period Structure to.
Double check all of your selections and once you’re happy click Apply.
