HAMPSHIRE schools are on the verge of having a six-term year.

Today is decision day for the county's education boss Councillor Don Allen who will finally decide whether to scrap the traditional school year.

He has refused to comment on whether he will push ahead with the controversial move despite 81 per cent of schools voting to keep the status quo.

However, teaching unions, teachers, and governors widely expect him to agree to the change starting in September next year.

He has made no secret of his desire for Hampshire to join 13 other LEAs who have already signed up the six-term school year.

These include the Isle of Wight, Wiltshire and Essex who will all implement the six-term year for the first time this September.

Cllr Allen believes the changes to the school year will benefit pupils and teachers with shorter terms reducing tiredness and stress and improving concentration.

He has also said the consistent term structure with a fixed spring break - regardless of when Easter falls - will help with lesson planning.

In the very few years that Easter falls particularly early or late, Good Friday and Easter Monday, still taken as holidays, would fall within term time. However, one teaching union has already threatened to ballot its members over possible strike action if the six-term year is introduced.

Regional leader of the National Association of School Masters and Union of Women Teachers Ron Clooney said a decision would be made after Cllr Allen's decision.

"In principle we are not opposed to a six-term year but rather the piecemeal way it is being introduced across the country."

He is also angry how the county council drew up its fourth option and recommendation after the consultation process was finished.

"We will consider whether to ballot our members after the meeting and decide what way we want to go," said Mr Clooney.

David Mewes, head teacher at Holbury Junior School in Southampton and the south's representative on the National Association of Headteachers said pupils would still legally have to attend school for 190 days a year. He said: "I don't think there are going to be too many differences for the children."

A spokesman for Southampton City Council said they would follow Hampshire County Council's lead and has already agreed to a six-term year in principle.

PROPOSALS (2005/6)

Two terms before Christmas - neither of more than 38 days

Four terms after Christmas - all a maximum of six weeks

A one week break in October (October 24 to October 28)

A two week Christmas break (December 19 to January 2)

A one week break in February (February 13 to February 17)

A spring break in the first two weeks of April, independent of Easter. (April 3 to April 17)

A one week break in May (May 29 to June 2)

A summer break always of five weeks or more (July 25 to September 1)