Nick Hyde
Saturday, November 12th, 2022
TimeTabler is an excellent product and it is clear that it has been developed carefully over decades to ensure that its functionality runs as closely as possible to the developing demands of a modern curriculum. I have just completed my first timetable for a large London Borough comprehensive school (with a sixth form) that delivers a wide range of qualifications including GCSEs, AS levels, A level, BTECs at level 2 and level 3, both single and double award, along with courses such as ASDAN, Core Maths, Entry Level qualifications and other vocational courses.The support I received has been exemplary and has been a big part of the successful completion of this task. Last year, a different member of the leadership team wrote the timetable using Edval and found that it was just not fit for purpose for a school like ours. The ‘FIT’ and ‘musical-chairs’ functionality of TimeTabler set it apart as the market leader. —Nick Hyde, Deputy Principal, Highams Park School (11-18), London |
Peter Hall
Friday, January 14th, 2022
We changed from Nova-T6 to TimeTabler a few years ago – and it was the best decision we ever made.
TimeTabler is so easy to use – has really helped us make the timetabling process far easier. From the very beginning of our process in the Autumn term – as we model the plan – and can easily compare with known staffing. In recent years our school has grown in size, and TimeTabler has made it very easy to project the staffing needed. Its ability to shuffle the final timetable around and improve my poor choices into better choices is very very good – not that we have to take its advice – but that we can look at what it would suggest. We would recommend TimeTabler without reservation. – Peter Hall, Assistant Headteacher and Timetabler, Beacon Academy (ages 11-18), East Sussex |
Joe Bettle
Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
I took over the timetabling of a fairly large secondary school with quite a complex curriculum structure 3 years ago. I wanted a quicker way of doing things from my predecessor who used Nova T6 in combination with a big old-school pin board with thousands of tiny bits of paper and various spreadsheets! The research I did seemed to indicate that most people using Nova for anything other than a fairly simple structure also had to run other systems/spreadsheets alongside. TimeTabler looked to do things in a much more intuitive way and it works brilliantly using two monitors – with one monitor effectively replacing my predecessor’s pin board during the scheduling stage.I’d say it takes me less than half time to produce a really good schedule than used to be the case. Uploading my new cycle and timetable to SIMS worked perfectly and achieved exactly what I wanted. In summary, I thoroughly recommend TimeTabler to anyone using SIMS. – Joe Bettle, Deputy Headteacher, Faringdon Community College (ages 11-18), Oxfordshire |
Karen Colwill
Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
As a first-time timetabler, and having heard many scare stories from colleagues who had done it in the past, to say I was hugely daunted by the prospect of writing the school’s timetable would be an understatement. As a member of the Support Staff, rather than the normal teaching staff who write the timetable, I felt out of my depth in knowing just how the school worked ‘on the ground’ and wasn’t sure where to start gathering the data needed. However, from the very beginning, TimeTabler gave me a clear structure as to how I was going to tackle this new undertaking.The Help articles were incredibly clear and helpful, and my one question to the Helpdesk was answered within seconds, with an instantaneous solution. TimeTabler has handled the changes with ease… We now have a timetable in place for September, and a timetabler (me) who is no longer daunted, but, in fact, excited about writing next year’s timetable already! I use many, many different systems in my role, and I can honestly say that TimeTabler is the most intuitive, flexible, easy-to-use piece of software I have ever used. – Karen Colwill, School Administrator, Maltman Green’s School (ages 5-11), Buckinghamshire |
Matt Stott
Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
As an experienced timetabler, this was our first year switching to different software and using TimeTabler. Quite a daunting change to make but, having now completed our first timetable in TimeTabler (and in exceptional circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic) we are very pleased indeed with the package.
TimeTabler has clearly been designed and written by people who are themselves skilled and experienced timetablers. The software is comprehensive and clear, and allows us to see the “big picture” as well as the detail that we need of each block. Also, a quick mention for “The Timetabler’s Cookbook” that we have also ordered this year and will hopefully help us increase our skills for next year. It is written in very plain language with lots of clear diagrams and examples to explain the process for both beginners and those with more experience. – Matt Stott, Assistant Headteacher, Haygrove School (ages 11-16), Somerset |
Matt Stevens
Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
Having opened a new school two years ago I simply used a spreadsheet, but now with 3 year groups and starting KS4 we decided to invest in TimeTabler , and I have been extremely impressed.
It allows for an interactive approach, with the ability to cope with all the intangibles that most timetabling software cannot, while providing automated options where they can be used. Uploading the timetable to our MIS (Arbor) was very straightforward, and overall saved me a good two or three days compared to my old method. In addition to the software itself, the Help videos and Tutorials are very easy to follow, and when I did make a mistake and contacted the Support Centre, the helpful solutions were provided very promptly and fixed the problem. – Matt Stevens, Principal, Saracens High School (ages 11-16), London |
Marcus Taylor
Sunday, January 3rd, 2021
I can count on one hand software applications that have ‘blown me away’ and Keith Johnson’s TimeTabler is certainly one of them. It is an exceptional product, saving countless hours and making the whole process of producing a quality timetable for the children a delight. Not only this, but also the support given by Keith and his team is always so quick and so clear.We are only a small school with one-form entry in seven year-groups and previously, it would have taken about a month to complete the timetable. With TimeTabler – just 2 days! – Marcus Taylor, Bursar, Tower College (ages 3-16), Merseyside |
Richard Lynn
Monday, September 9th, 2019
We are new to TimeTabler and the associated programs, Options and StaffCover. I was faced with the task of writing the timetable at very short notice and having previously used Nova T6, I was more than a little hesitant in making the jump to TimeTabler. But the decision was wise – the software is intuitive, powerful and the quality of the HelpMovies and online documentation was such that I completed the timetable and exported to our MIS without the need to tap into the free training offered. The export routine was one I particularly dreaded, but the instructions were clear and the export routines very efficient in ensuring the data was presented to the MIS as it required. Our Sixth Form is small and the curriculum flexibility I needed to represent in the timetable was easily dealt with by TimeTabler – it is a most flexible and powerful tool.My situation was peculiar this year in that I needed help, quickly. I was delighted by the email reassurances from various members of the TimeTabler team – their provision of signposts to the online ‘Knowledgebase’ ensured my success. I cannot recommend TimeTabler too highly. |
Dominic Orys
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018
Having used a variety of different systems for timetabling, TimeTabler is by far the easiest to use and the most intuitive, although of course you still need to make sure that you understand what your school needs. I have been constantly and consistently impressed by, not just the software, but also the Support provided and the willingness of the software team to take on suggestions.I have recommended it to several colleagues in other schools and will continue to do so. I would strongly urge any timetabler to look at the free Tutorial version of TimeTabler, to see what this software can do. And as a recent convert to the Options software, I would similarly recommend that too. |
Reading – 3
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016
. . . valuable support for teachers, students and parents . . .