Holidays will be standardised with neighbouring authorities

The city council is ready to approve the changes after more than 8,000 parents took part in a huge public consultation exercise.

The new proposals will see half terms become more even in length for Sheffield's 145 primary and 25 secondary schools.

Holiday dates will also be standardised with neighbouring authorities.

Spring break

Martin Gazzard, council education spokesman said: "We have had one or two things to consider in particular the siting of the Easter break.

"We are proposing that this is now standardised to the first two weeks of April."

Sheffield is also one of the few local education authorities in the country where schools take a two-week break around the Spring Bank Holiday.

Under the plans, the break would be cut in half.

If approved the new school calendar will come into force for the 2004/5 academic year.