THE possibility of introducing a six term year in Hampshire's schools could move one step closer today if education chiefs agree to a consultation programme.

Cllr Don Allen, Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, is considering whether to give the go-ahead for consultation with parents and the community over Local Government Association (LGA) proposals to reorganise the school year from three to six terms.

These include introducing two terms before Christmas, with no term of more than 38 days; a two week October break; a two week Christmas break; four terms after Christmas limited to a maximum of six weeks and a summer break of five weeks or more.

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.

Local education authorities currently determine term dates and holidays for their schools and these can differ with other areas of the country. The LGA consultation has already indicated 'a strong preference' for national co-ordination of arrangements for setting school terms and holidays.

If the council agrees to carry out consultation with the relevant parties, a decision for or against the six term year will be made for implementation in September 2004 at the earliest.