Primary TimeTM Features
Primary TimeTM has been designed to streamline timetable construction and assist timetabling practitioners to work smarter. That means the very concept it is based on is about being easy to use.
Make timetabling a positive experience as you follow the logical and intuitive approach - import basic data; manually or automatically create multiple timetable scenarios; easily make last minute changes and see the results; reduce specialist class setup times; ensure teaching staff are not exceeding their teaching loads; personalise your timetable reports for printing or posting on your school website or choose from the pre-formatted reports provided.
Proven timetabling methodology
Primary TimeTM offers a simple, logical and comprehensive approach to timetabling allowing you to understand your timetabling objective, then work towards it at your own pace with the tools provided. Primary TimeTM includes: extensive user guides, a simple timetable checklist, key timetabling concepts, easy to follow step-by-step tutorial guides with examples, advanced timetabling techniques, and Primary TimeTM timetabling software.
Fully integrated timetable information
No need to make mental notes to remember your timetabling querks. Primary TimeTM provides you with an integrated central reference point for all of your school's timetabling information - Staff & Staff availability, Year Groups, Subjects, Rooms & Room availability, etc - which provides a basis for generating your timetable for next term or next year. It's easy to update and keep current and it's always in the same place so you know where to find it.
Basic data entry made easy
Entering the basic data parameters to establish your timetable is logical, simple and fast. Data can be entered manually or imported from MS ExcelTM or CSV formats to save time. Basic data records all information relating to school structure, rooms, teachers, Year Groups, subjects and consecutive groups with specific screen assigned to each field and can be accessed at any time should changes be required. You can even allocate colours to subjects to make timetables easier to read.
Import data
- Save time by importing your school’s information directly into Primary TimeTM. Information can be imported from Microsoft ExcelTM
Export Data
You can share your Primary Time timetable with other school timetabling and administration programs such as Synergetic. The Primary Time Export Editor is simple to use and allows you to customise what information you wish to export to other programs. It’s all about flexibility, practicality and integration!
Customisable timetable cycle – click, type & tailor
Whatever your timetable cycle, Primary TimeTM lets you customise your timetable cycle. Specific tabs allow you to quickly set the number of days, the number of periods per day, the breaks between periods, and whether periods are doubles, triples or quadruples. There’s even the option for you to select the colour scheme of the program and determine the print layouts for your timetable.
Ability to cater for part-time staff
No need to remember which staff are available. Primary TimeTM allows you to enter each staff member and their availability – ideal for part-time staff. Should you need to change it, you can at the click of a button.
Curriculum design template
You won’t be left wondering who is teaching which Year Group in which room. Designing your schools’ curriculum is simple using the Primary TimeTM allocation template. Colour-coded for easy reference with drop down menu selections make data entry fast and accurate. Activities can be added or removed and also copied and joined between Year Groups to make the most of your time.
Team teaching
More than one staff member teaching a class? No problem, Primary TimeTM has the ability to incorporate team teaching, where two teachers take the one Year Group class together and often one of the teachers is in a support role.
Ability to allocate planning time to teaching staff
Having trouble finding planning time for specialist teachers? Primary TimeTM can assist you to allocate planning time when required with effective timetabling techniques.
Reduce class setup times
Put an end to specialist staff constantly having to change their class setups from one class to the next. Primary TimeTM allows you to schedule consecutive specialist classes and allow more logical specialist class transitions. Spend more time teaching and less time setting up the classroom.
Schedule solution space
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The Primary TimeTM solution space (schedule screen) provides optimal visibility of the scheduling options possible for one or more yeargroups. Scheduling visibility is further enhanced by a simple layout, scheduling symbols, colour-coding and defined recess and lunch breaks. In addition, the solution space keeps you constantly updated as to which cells are available or unavailable.
Manual scheduling
The ability to manually schedule provides complete timetable construction flexibility. Manual scheduling or allocation is often used to place “difficult” activities. The solution space assists by advising you whether you are able to manually place an activity in a particular location. The solution space keeps you constantly updated as to which cells are available or unavailable.
AutoPLACETM – automatic scheduling
AutoPLACETM is an advanced algorithm which allows the automatic generation of your timetable. AutoPLACETM is a very effective and powerful productivity tool which can provide you with a number of optimal timetabling solutions, not just one timetabling option. AutoPLACETM can be used in conjunction with manual scheduling or it can generate a solution itself. AutoPLACETM takes the time and hassle out of timetabling!
Ability to generate multiple timetable solutions
There is usually more than one timetabling solution. Yes, more than one! Primary TimeTM allows you to generate multiple timetabling solutions and compare them before you select the solution that best suits your needs.
Ability to run complex timetabling structures
No matter how complex your timetable, Primary TimeTM is likely to be able to handle it. Whether you have a 10 day, 11 period cycle; staggered recess and lunch breaks; or a 5 day, 5 period cycle Primary TimeTM can accommodate your timetabling needs
Automatically checks teaching and room loadings
No need to keep a tally of how many classes are being taught by staff or how many classes have been allocated to particular rooms. Primary TimeTM automatically checks whether your teaching staff and teaching venues (rooms) are overloaded and provides you with warnings should you overload them by mistake. Now that's smart!
Automatically checks teacher and room clashes
- Primary TimeTM automatically checks whether your teaching staff and teaching venues (rooms) clash with each other based on your timetable and highlights the clashes for you to see and remedy.
Scheduling solution visibility
Primary TimeTM gives you a clear view of your curriculum, classes and teaching staff to assist you in finding a scheduling solution faster. View the class preview and teacher preview screens and zoom in or zoom out as you require.
Customisable timetabling
No more special codes and abbreviations! Customising the timetable allows you to edit the text in the timetable. This ensures the timetable prints out exactly the way you want it.
Customisable reporting
Primary TimeTM offers a number of pre-formatted reports including a clash report, master exception report, master class report, individual class, teacher and room reports. Each of these reports is able to be customised and requires MS ExcelTM to be installed. Each of these reporting options allows you to printout hardcopies or post timetable reports to your school website.
Keyboard shortcuts
Work even faster by using the keyboard shortcuts! Primary TimeTM provides you with an extensive list of keyboard shortcuts to improve your productivity. If you thought working with a mouse was fast, try the keyboard shortcuts.
Full screen layout
Primary TimeTM has a very attractive user interface which can be worked on in full screen mode giving you the visibility of your workspace you require.
Context sensitive help
Need an answer while you’re working? Primary TimeTM has comprehensive help when you need it. Extensive help can be accessed anytime by pressing F1 on your keyboard or clicking on the help menu and contains the answers to your questions.
On-line renewal
Primary TimeTM software operates for a period of twelve months at the conclusion of which you will need to renew your subscription to continue to use it. The online renewal process is simple and fast with payment options designed for you and your school.
Playtime - Yard Duty Scheduler
The text for the Playtime feature is to read as follows: "PlaytimeTM enables you to the flexibility to construct a yard duty roster in minutes. Customise your yard duty breaks & areas, duty times, staff preferences, tally staff duty minutes for reference & customise your reports. PlaytimeTM is the complete yard duty scheduling tool."