The Teaching Timetable Review, launched in November by the Vice-Chancellor, has reported its recommendations to the University Executive Board (UEB).

The UEB endorsed the headline review recommendations that all staff across faculties, schools and professional services should work together in an increasingly co-ordinated, institution-wide approach to timetabling, so that the teaching timetable can be published earlier in the academic year.

In the short term, work is already underway to improve communications around timetabling; to develop clarity of roles and responsibilities across the University which support the timetabling process; to simplify some central processes; and to create a consistent approach to supporting academic staff in balancing their commitments to timetabled teaching, alongside research and broader activities.

UEB welcomed the report, acknowledging the extensive work involved in gathering the views and experiences of both staff and students, analysing the issues affecting timetable production and the development of both short and long-term solutions.

The Review Chair, Professor Phil Shipway, thanked colleagues for their input, which provides the foundations on which to build a new approach to timetabling development at the University.

He said: “For a University of our size and breadth, timetabling is a naturally complex process, but one which is critical to the delivery of our aspirations around excellence in education and student experience. It is an area in which we all need to engage, and where we need to refine ways of collaborative working towards a common goal.

“I have met many people through the course of this review and everyone understands that a good timetable is key for all members of our learning community – students and staff alike. I am looking forward to continuing this work so that we can better deliver that to which we all aspire.”

The report for the broader Organisational Effectiveness (Student Support) Review, which was also announced in November is expected to be published shortly.

An executive summary and the full report for the Teaching Timetable Review are available on the review Workspace. For further information, please contact the Strategic Change Unit.