HAMPSHIRE County Council is leading the way in becoming one of the first counties in the country to agree to adopt a six-term school year.

Cabinet members agreed unanimously at the latest meeting to support proposals to adopt, in principle, a six-term school year from September 2004.

The Cabinet supported the change to a six-term year because of the educational benefits it would bring pupils, teachers, staff and governors, namely:

* Terms of no more than eight weeks should reduce tiredness and stress and enhance concentration

* The more consistent term structure should help teachers and governing bodies with their planning

* A fixed spring break will remove the problem of very variable term lengths and will provide greater opportunity for the significance of Holy Week to be studied in schools.

Detailed discussions on implementation of the six-term policy will now take place with the unions representing teachers, headteachers, other staff groups, neighbouring local authorities and the Local Government Association.

The aim of these discussions will be to agree the detailed term and holiday arrangements and to obtain the support of surrounding education authorities to move forward together.

In the event that these discussions are not completed by March 2003, implementation of the six-term year would be delayed in Hampshire until 2005 but the spring term break would be fixed for the academic year 2004/5.

Commenting on the six-term policy decision, Hampshire executive member for education Cllr Don Allen said: "It is extremely good news that the Cabinet has given its agreement to adopt a six-term year in Hampshire.

"I know the changes to the school year will have a positive impact on how pupils learn and teachers teach, and I look forward to working with the unions, headteachers and governors in the next few months on the finer details of its implementation.

"There are clear indicators that LEAs in the South are looking for a lead and I believe Hampshire, as a large and successful LEA, should give that lead."