EDUCATION bosses in Hampshire say they will consult with schools over plans that would enable them to set their own term dates.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the new reforms would enable schools to set their own holiday dates rather than stick to the local authority’s.

The move paves the way for individual schools to introduce longer terms and cut the length of school holidays.

Head teachers largely expressed the view that the move would not result in radical change, but nevertheless Hampshire County Council said it would want to consult schools to see how they wanted to proceed.

Councillor Peter Edgar, executive member for education at Hampshire County Council, said: “Even though some schools are already able to set their own school year, most copy Hampshire's model, as do many Hampshire further education colleges.

“There is also some co-ordination with neighbouring authorities.

“We will be asking Hampshire schools how they would wish to approach this new proposal, and they in turn will be wishing to consult with parents. My concern is that there would be problems for both schools and parents if there is not a co-ordinated calendar for an area.

“If parents have children in different schools and those schools have vastly differing holidays, parents will have problems organising holidays together, and working parents, including teaching staff, may have child care issues.”

Under the current system, state school pupils usually get two weeks off at Christmas and Easter as well as six weeks in the summer, and three week-long half-term breaks.

In a speech in April, Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, called for longer school days and term times, warning that the current system is out of date.