Six-term year piloted in England

By Angela Harrison
BBC News Online education staff

The LGA believes most areas will switch

Hundreds of schools in 13 English local authorities are experimenting with a new way of structuring the school year.

They are bringing in a system known as the six-term year which looks set to bring big changes for most English schools in the next few years.

The pilot schemes begin this week and next, as children in England go back to school.

Dozens of other local councils plan to make the changes next year, after consultations with parents and teachers.

It is understood the London boroughs are now generally in favour of making the switch too, which makes it likely that many adjoining areas will follow suit.

The six-term year involves schools having a longer break in the autumn and a fixed break in spring, replacing the moveable Easter holiday.

There will be a separate long weekend for Easter when the festival falls outside that break.

PILOT AREAS Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City, Devon, Essex (standardising terms only), Gloucestershire, Isle of Wight, Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire

The changes are being championed by the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents the local authorities.

It believes up to 95% of local education authorities are in favour of making the switch.

Supporters say a six-term school year will help raise standards because pupils will respond better to shorter, more even terms.

They also believe pressure on teachers will be reduced by cutting the autumn term - sometimes as long as 17 weeks - to two, seven-week terms.

The government is leaving local authorities to decide on whether to make the changes, although earlier this year they were endorsed by the Education Secretary, Charles Clarke.

Alison King, the chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said momentum towards the change was building.

"The indications are very encouraging. Numbers have been building for 2005, especially since the secretary of state's comments," she said.

"It looks like we have the whole of the London boroughs from 2005/6, then we expect a domino effect as other areas around London may follow suit."

Areas piloting the six-term year from this term are: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City, Devon, Essex (evening up terms only), Gloucestershire, Isle of Wight, Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.