Three long terms of sitting at your desk could be a thing of the past as schools across England look like they'll be switching to a six-term year.
The changes from the three-term pattern are expected to start in the autumn of 2003.
A special report into how the school year is organized has recommended:
- Six terms of roughly the same length
- Two terms before Christmas
- No term of more than 38 days
- A two-week October break to reduce pupil and teacher stress
- A Christmas break never less than two weeks
- The four terms after Christmas no longer than six weeks each
- A summer break always more than five weeks.
The dates of these terms will depend on where you live. Schools will be given five flexible holiday days to dish out when it suits them, for example when some of the pupils may be celebrating a religious festival.
Supporters of the six-term plan say it will help parents organise holidays and will eventually let students apply to universities with actual grades rather than predicted ones.
Richard Angell, of the UK Youth Parliament said, "We particularly like the fact that there will be a guaranteed week when every young person in the country will be on holiday".
What do you think about this? Have your say by clicking on the link top right
Hear Story
Navdip Dhariwal's report
Natter about school stuff
Six-term year - VOTE NOW!
Too cool in school
