A leading teaching union has reacted angrily to the announcement that Lincolnshire schools are to switch to a six-term year.

The NASUWT has objected to the proposals, saying it wants to stick to the current system.

But county councillors approved the change which will come into operation from September 2004.

Currently there are three terms with one-week breaks during each.

I think eventually all councils will move to that Maureen Spencer-Gregson, county councillor

In the new calendar there would be new two-week breaks falling close to the current half-terms and a shortened summer holiday.

Bill Sheffield from the teaching union in Lincolnshire says the new system will not benefit children or teachers and there is no strong case for the change.

He said: "I can't see that a fortnight in the middle of October for children to be stuck around the house bored to tears is in anyone's interest.

"I can't see why parents would want their children to be home in the middle of October for a fortnight just playing computer games and wasting their time, when it is a lot better to have the summer holidays for children."

'Stressful' terms

The decision to move to a six-term year was taken by the council's executive on Tuesday and is expected to be ratified by the full council on 14 February.

Councillor Maureen Spencer-Gregson, member for education, said that a public consultation revealed people would prefer a six-term year.

"I think eventually all councils will move to that.

"I think it will benefit children and teachers because these long terms are stressful. Children do get tired and so do teachers."