HAMPSHIRE'S education chief has backed the introduction of the controversial six-term year for the county's schools.

"Education authorities in the south are looking for a lead and I believe Hampshire should give that lead," said county schools boss Councillor Don Allen.

The scheme now has just one more hurdle to clear before being introduced at every council-run school.

Because the new system affects other areas of the authority, the final thumbs up must be given by the county's Cabinet, which is due to meet on Monday, December 23.

The earliest a six-term year could re-shape the calendar is September 2004.

The move comes despite warnings from teachers' unions that they may strike if the county pushes forward with the changes to their working conditions without further consultation.

The county council has undertaken one of the biggest consultation exercises in its history in a bid to find out what people think of the plan.

Teachers, businessmen, parents and the general public were all quizzed to find out their views. Once the benefits of the scheme were explained, most people backed the switch.

Currently the county, in common with the rest of the country, operates a three-term year with a floating Easter break.

The system has long attracted criticism for creating over-long terms and harming youngsters' learning.

Cllr Allen's recommendations are for the academic year to be fixed at 195 days and include five teacher-training days, broken down into six terms.

There would be a two-week break in October and a fixed spring holiday.

In the years when Easter falls particularly early or late and outside the fixed spring holiday, Good Friday and Easter Monday would also be taken as a holiday.

Cllr Allen said: "One of the biggest consultations took place over the six-term year, and I am satisfied that a thorough job was done in collating the opinions of the general public, teachers, support staff and various businesses.

"The teaching profession has for many years felt that the autumn term is particularly long and that a longer break in October would have a positive impact both on how pupils learn and teachers teach.

"I am convinced that the benefits of adopting a six-term year will be significant in educational terms.

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

Southampton City Council is also consulting on the scheme and results are expected next month.

Dorset, Surrey, West Sussex and Portsmouth are all waiting to see which way other authorities jump before pursuing the idea.

Do you agree with the proposal to have a six-term year? Vote in our poll at the foot of the This is Southampton home page.