Education chiefs in Bradford are to open talks with neighbouring councils in a bid to sort out the controversial six-terms issue.

It means that any changes to the school year will not be brought in until at least 2005.

Bradford Council wanted to change the academic year by shortening the summer holiday and extending the autumn half-term.

But this would put them out of step with bordering councils - which have not shown much support for the idea - and this is regarded as a major stumbling block.

Rather then go it alone, talks will be held to try to find a solution

Mum-of-two Sandra Foxcroft, a parent governor at St John's CE Primary School at Bierley, said she hoped the six-term year would be brought into Bradford.

"I can't wait," she said. "I would much prefer them, it would even out the holidays much, much more.

"It also gives parents much more choice over booking their holidays. For instance, you could go to the Mediterranean in October and still have a sunny holiday.

"Also a lot of parents notice how tired their children are when it gets close to Christmas and they have only had a week off. Then they have school concerts and shows to do as well.

"By Christmas they are worn out. Yet at the moment it seems all their holidays are coming at once."

Ian Murch, secretary of Bradford NUT, said: "It would be daft to go it alone on this issue,

"It would cause many families a lot of problems. To have different holidays to neighbouring councils would be stupid and we have said no on those grounds."

He said it would only make sense if the national examinations system was changed.

And he said the consultation had to be far-reaching, making sure everyone was given a chance to have their say.

He said: "Some people would oppose Easter not being a major school holiday on religious grounds, other people would have other reasons.

"Having a long holiday in October could cause problems for poorer families who cannot afford to go away for two weeks."

Councillor David Ward, executive member for education, believes eventually the policy will be adopted - but not without extensive consultation.

He said: "Everybody seems to be waiting for everybody else on this issue but I believe eventually it will be adopted across the country.

"The matter is too strong to be resisted. Once a few councils go for six terms, I am pretty sure others will follow."

He said there were strong educational arguments for a six-term year and it would also even out the existing terms.

"The autumn term seems to go and on whereas we are now in a very short term - of only five or six weeks.

"But we have never pretended that this is the be-all and end-all for educational improvements in Bradford, but after full consultation I believe it makes sense to do it."

The latest developments are due to be discussed at Thursday's Education Policy Partnership.

A six-term year would mean 190 teaching days per year divided into blocks of roughly equal length.

Advocates of the change believe it would raise educational achievement by creating patterns of terms which help pupils to learn most efficiently and teachers to teach most effectively.

But an internet-based survey on the subject by Bradford Council caused a storm earlier this year because it was not considered wide-ranging enough for such a crucial issue.

Only 16 out of 154 education authorities nationally have signalled any interest in the proposals.

The nearest to Bradford so far is Lincolnshire.