Writing one school timetable a year is bad enough, but having to make up several in these times of Covid - involving different combinations of halves, thirds and quarters of each year group - is enough to send the average timetabler completely over the edge.

Back in August, there was a huge collective sigh of relief that, despite the effort put into coming up with various formations, we wouldn’t have to implement them after all as students were coming back to school as previous plans for blended learning had been put to the side.

Just before Christmas, remote learning was to become the norm for who knew how long at the start of the new year. Then, on 16 February, we were told that some senior secondary students were to return for essential work on practical subjects. Secondary schools dusted off the senior-phase versions of plans that we had come up with previously and congratulated ourselves on our previous foresight.

Schools reopening: How to create a workable timetable

But last Tuesday, 2 March, it all changed again. After a short period of sitting crying with heads in hands, new plans are now hastily being concocted to work out how to add the broad general education (BGE - the first three years of secondary school in Scotland) into the mix. For what it’s worth, here are some tips based on what we have learned over the past few days.

1. Start with capacity

You need to have an intimate knowledge of your school and how many students each room can hold. Every school has myriad places that will hold larger or smaller classes. Halls and gym areas (which due to restrictions can’t be used for much else) may hold a whole Higher English class, while that large staff base may temporarily fit the four students who could be a third of a National 5 travel and tourism class. Use them all.

Schools reopening: Headteachers blindsided by ‘shock’ school return plans

Long read: School timetabling for beginners

Also this week: 5 things I learned as a secondary head who had a baby

2. When you know how many you can fit in the school, the overriding priority is the senior students

If you can stick to their current timetables as much as possible then everyone will find it easier (and routine for some of our more vulnerable children is one thing they can well do with just now).

3. If this is impossible, then look at the breakdowns

Splitting year groups and timetabling by option column, with students coming in half-day blocks, may work, although having different children in for the morning and afternoon may not fit with your buses. You will then need to look at the teachers and ask whether they all need to teach their own classes or if they can cover others with work set by subject specialists.

4. Use your additional support needs (ASN) staff wisely

Some, obviously, have subject knowledge, which could be invaluable with some of the smaller groups you may have in classes. Do remember, though, that additional bodies in a classroom may lead to a decrease in student capacity.

5. Make sure S1-3s are not second-class citizens

Senior students come first - that much has been made very clear to us - but there is now a need to ensure that BGE classes get some time in school every week. Already many of them are the second-class citizens of Covid-19 and what they have been through will have an impact over the coming years. We do now have a three-week window, however, to remind them what school is all about and this will more than likely be in the smaller class sizes we have always wished for. Treat them with kindness and remind them to do the same to others. Spend time resocialising them, get them outdoors and off their phones, and set things up for the full return post-Easter.

6. When it’s all done and you have a model that looks as if it will work, consult widely

There is no time to do this with parents - they will have to accept what you have come up with as the best plan possible in the short term. But distribute the plan to FPTs (faculty principal teachers), PTs (principal teachers) and guidance staff for their scrutiny. They will pick holes but that will ultimately give you something which, while everyone may not be happy with it, will at least work for the short term.

7. Remember that the timetable you are writing is (probably) only for 14 days at most and will have been written in less than a week

This last point is an important one. That’s some going but it means it won’t be perfect and may, at times, fall over. If it does, readjust but don’t beat yourself up about it. These are extraordinary times and mistakes will be made. In a few short weeks, it’ll be the Easter holidays - and there won’t be many who remember what happened when we come back full-time in April.

John Rutter is headteacher at Inverness High School