What command are you using to backup your database, Paul?
And what method are you using to restore it?
And what method are you using to restore it?
" ... copied the course from a template course ..."
This 'course template' ... is it hidden course? With users? Without users?
One should be able to run a backup, selecting only the DB activity to backup and restore that backup to an existing course (would come into course using sections as the last section in the existing course to which one is restoring).
Theme? Version of Moodle?
'SoS', Ken