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v5.26.6.1
June 30, 2026

Options - Timetable Patterns: Improvements to Auto-Allocate Process

Modules > Options > Timetable Patterns

This release introduces improvements to the way the Auto-Allocate feature works.

▶ Previous behaviour:
Auto-allocation followed a “rounds” approach, assigning students by preference order (first choice, then second, etc.). This could sometimes result in reserve choices being assigned rather than main choices. While class balancing was applied, some class sizes were not optimal, requiring manual adjustments.
▶ New behaviour:
The updated auto-allocate evaluates all valid combinations to deliver the best possible outcome. It:
  • Maximises overall student preferences
  • Then optimises class balance without jeopardising their main choice allocation
Manual intervention is now significantly reduced, with the system automatically handling scenarios that previously required adjustment.
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▶ Auto Allocate Key Factors

Auto-Allocate assigns students to subjects fairly and consistently, using these key factors:

  • Preferences: Auto-allocate is to use submitted student preferences to ensure that the students receive their choices as per their preference order.
  • Balancing Students: When a subject has multiple classes, the system spreads students as evenly as possible across them, both within the same block and across different blocks.
        • Balancing is applied when multiple classes of the same subject exist within the same block.
        • Balancing is applied when the same subject is available across different blocks
        • Preferences always take priority.

▶ Factors no longer taken into consideration

The following factors will no longer be taken into account when generating a pattern and will be removed from the pattern generation wizard in a future release:

  • Balance Gender Across Blocks: Gender balance will not be taken into consideration, regardless of whether it is selected on the generation wizard.
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  • User Reserves: Reserves will only be used as a last resort if the student cannot be assigned to their main choices.
  • Use Alternatives: Alternatives will not be assigned during the auto-allocate routine.
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Note:  Locked pupils (via the Pupil Review screen) will not be taken into consideration during the auto allocate process. Once the process has completed you will need to check those students are in the correct class or move them manually. This is to ensure maximum main choice satisfaction.

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▶ New Confirmation popup for Auto-Allocate

In this release, we have also updated the confirmation message when using Auto-Allocate: "This process is to reallocate all the students to the subjects to ensure maximum choice satisfaction."

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