CONTROVERSIAL proposals to switch the school year from three terms to six are now virtually certain to take effect across Hampshire.

Council leaders are proposing to press ahead with the shake up and have agreed to use next year as a blueprint for the future.

Hampshire education bosses said next year's structure, which is likely to be the last with just three terms, should "closely reflect" the shape of a six-term year.

The plan makes a smooth transition to six terms more likely.

A six-term year would see two terms before Christmas, neither of more than 38 days, divided by a two-week break in October. Following a two-week Christmas break, there would be four terms, none of more than six weeks and a summer holiday at least five weeks long.

One of teachers' biggest headaches, the floating Easter break, has now been fixed permanently in position in 2004/5 as it would be under the six-term system expected to be introduced in 2005/6.

The system means that in 2006, for the first time, the Easter bank holiday will fall outside schools' Easter break on April 16.

The anchoring of Easter makes for regular sized terms, which experts say is good for children's schooling. In particularly long terms, staff and pupils become tired and shorter terms are too brief to get through all the work.

Under the six-term system the summer holiday would also be slightly shorter, following claims that pupils suffer from "learning loss" - forgetting what they have been taught over the six-week break.

Both Southampton and Hampshire have launched massive public consultation exercises to test the opinion on the idea. The results were mixed but broadly favoured making the change.

Southampton is likely to make the jump to six terms in tandem with Hampshire. And, although it does not finalise next year's term dates until June, is also likely to match the county there.

The city is working with Hampshire to co-ordinate the introduction of the new system in 2005/6, with councillors keen not to make the switch alone. Both hope neighbouring authorities will fall into line with the plan, to make life easier for parents with children in schools on either side of their borders.

The introduction of the six-term year is all but finalised, with county bosses agreeing to make the switch for 2005/6 in principle. No date has been set for a final decision, but they are waiting for neighbours such as Dorset and Portsmouth to catch up. Hampshire education bosses had hoped to start with six terms in 2004/5, but postponed it for a year to give neighbours more time.

Council leader Ken Thornber was keen to press ahead with the plan. He said: "It is slightly disappointing that we could not put it in for 2004/5."

Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, Councillor Don Allen, agreed. He said: "I firmly believe that a six-term year is the way forward.''