CHILDREN across East Lancashire could share the same school holidays within the next two years after education leaders gave the green light to the six-term year at national level.

Education chiefs at Lancashire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council have given their backing to the shift, which will be the biggest shake-up of the school calendar for 130 years. But the local education authority leaders are to launch a new round of consultations before making a decision.

Parents in East Lancashire have struggled for years with different academic terms depending on LEAs. Burnley and Pendle holidays can be more than a week out of synch with other areas around Blackburn and the Ribble Valley.

But the executive body of the Local Government Association - the umbrella body for LEAs - voted unanimously in favour of ditching the present three term system at a meeting in October. Council chiefs will now be urged to adopt the six-terms by September 2005.

Alan Whittaker, member for education at Lancashire County Council, said a national standard school year is what the area has been waiting for. Consultations took place last year and earlier this year with "no strong feeling".

He said: "Most organisations involved in discussions were split 50-50 but the main feeling was that this change had to come at national level because our LEA borders on to so many others, making it very difficult for parents. There are many advantages of six terms, including a more balanced working rhythm and pupils getting their exam results sooner. But we have to ensure the long summer break remains for teachers as it is seen as a perk of the job."

Under the proposals the school term will start in late August, up to a week earlier than at present. A seven-week term would then be followed by a break of eight working days in October before the run-up to Christmas. The two-week Christmas break would be followed by a six-week term, with a week's break in February, another six-week term before a fortnight in April and then a fifth term when all exams will be sat.

GCSE and A-level results could then be published before students make their choices for further education. A sixth term could then be devoted to activities like drama and sport.

Peter Morgan, director of education and lifelong learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Since, at this time, there has been no commitment to change from neighbouring LEAs, we've recommended to elected representatives that we await developments before agreeing to consult further about this."

Ken Cridland, Lancashire divisional secretary of the National Union of Teachers, added: "Fixing Easter will be welcomed by teachers but the timescale for marking exam papers is still very tight. Different holidays cause tremendous problems but until a regional meeting is held, no one LEA will take this forward."