Education bosses on East Sussex County Council are to consider scrapping the traditional three-term school year.

The council's ruling Cabinet will consider starting consultations on a six-term school year when it meets next week.

An earlier proposal to overhaul the system was dropped three years ago when it encountered widespread opposition from teachers and parents.

A commission set up by the Local Government Association, which represents councils, backed a school year of six terms for primary and secondary schools.

Council deputy leader Daphne Bagshawe said the study found a six-term year would fit the national curriculum better and a shorter summer break would help some pupils.

She said: "We should be open to change but we must not try to railroad it against the wishes of people who use the system."

The plan includes two terms before and four terms after Christmas, each of about six or seven weeks.

The summer break would always be more than five weeks and the Christmas break never less than two weeks.

The Cabinet will consider whether to begin the consultation on Tuesday.