The changes would mean terms were of similar length

Councillors in the county are meeting to decide whether to approve plans to introduce a six-term school year.

The proposal comes in response to research which shows the current three-term system has a number of drawbacks.

Its aim is to end the huge variations in the length of the spring and summer terms which depend on when Easter falls.

Summer holiday

At the same time the authority wants to add two or three days to the length of each half-term break to give everyone more of a rest.

If the plan is approved there will be two terms of seven weeks before Christmas and four terms of six weeks after Christmas.

The long summer holiday will last five weeks.

Parents, governors and most teachers are in favour of the changes, though some primary school headteachers preferred a five-term system.

Councillors at the meeting will also decide whether to hold a full review of secondary education in the county.