In this guide we will look at how to set up Split Lunches within Bromcom when using wTimetable. First we’ll look at setting up your Period Structure to support Split Lunches then we’ll look at how you can implement that using wTimetable.
If you are not using wTimetable or you are not using the Split Lunch Toggle when creating your Period Structure please see further guidance here.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER
A school can only have one Period Structure in place and the times cannot overlap.
The Period Structure needs to be created first then it will be ready to be used in the creation of a timetable in wTimetable.
The Set Split Lunch Period toggle in the Period Structure is only for use when using wTimetable.
IMPORTANT: Wedo not recommend making any changes to your Period Structure part way through an Academic Year. Making any changes to Teaching Periods will result in the loss of your current Timetable and Cover data and may also cause losses to Attendance and Behaviour data as well as Calendar Entries.
If you would like to make changes to your Period Structure in the middle of an academic year, please contact Bromcom Support in the first instance to discuss your proposed changes and avoid any unexpected data loss.
Access: The Minimum permissions to edit Period Structures can be found in the Curriculum Module within Config > Setup > Roles & Permissions.
Configurations
Once the school have decided on the structure for the new year, they need to set up the configurations in Config>Curriculum>Configurations.
Updating this information will have no impact on the current period structure, it is just used for creating a new structure.
Creating your Period Structure
To implement Split Lunches you will need to create a new Period Structure including extra Teaching Periods to accommodate the pupils who are not on Lunch during each session.
For a detailed look at how to create or edit a Period Structure please see How to Create a New Period Structure and/or How to View/Edit an Existing Period Structure
When creating your Period Structure, in the top left hand corner, you will see a Set Split Lunch Period toggle, turning this on will add a Lunch column to the Period Structure. Tick the boxes next to the Teaching Periods that form a part of the Split Lunch.
IMPORTANT: The Set Split Lunch Period toggle is only for use when using wTimetable.
In the following example we have split the Lunch over Teaching Periods 4a, 4b and 4C creating 2 different Lunch sessions. You could choose to split this over more than 2 sessions in which case you would create further Teaching Periods to cover the extra Lunch sessions.
When Set Split Lunch Periods is turned on. Lu / Lunch period type will not be available.
Once you are happy with the structure for Day 1 click the top right Copy Settings to All Days
Then click Save
Once you have clicked Copy Settings to All Days and Clicked Save you cannot edit the lunch periods (these are greyed out) add screenshots below
Split Lunch periods can only be saved if:
- At least two periods are marked as Lunch using the tick boxes to the right.
- Lunch periods are consecutive.
- Lunch periods are set as Period Type = TP.
- The Split Lunch setup is copied to all days.
You would then assign your teaching classes as normal either within Timetabling Software or in Bromcom and where pupils have a lunch, leave that Teaching Period as non-timetabled.
Split Lunches in wTimetable
Once you’ve set up your Period Structure, including extra Teaching Periods to accommodate your Split Lunches, you can include Split Lunches when creating your timetable in wTimetable.
Split Lunches allows correct counting for teacher loadings and that lessons placed in the periods designated as split lunch will automatically duplicate.
Create a new project, using the Period Structure you have just created then in the Scheduling tab, select Actions > Lunch/Split Periods.
In the pop-up that appears drag and drop the year groups into the correct ‘Lunch‘ period, click Save to confirm.
You also have the option to Count Lunch Periods as One using the toggle in the top right hand corner making it possible to schedule double and linked sessions across lunches.
When actions are applied to a session, duplicates will respond the same way. This includes:
- Left-click on a session: Remove from this session, Remove, Lock/Unlock
- Left-click on a period header: Remove from schedule, Lock/Unlock schedule
Once the Timetable is processed, lunch periods will display with an L badge.