A radical shake-up for schools across East Sussex has been put on hold.

Plans to introduce a six-term year were this week approved in principle by members of the county council's cabinet committee - but will not be carried out while neighbouring authorities are still deciding whether they will follow suit.

The plans could be scrapped altogether if Brighton and Hove, Kent and West Sussex decide to reject similar changes to the school year.

Coun Rupert Simmons, lead cabinet member for education, said: "Most people appear to agree that changing to a six-term year and making each of these terms the same consistent length could benefit our children and improve their education.

"At the end of the day that has got to be the most important consideration.

"We also believe that going it alone is not an option. Our neighbours in West Sussex, Kent and Brighton and Hove must be on board and we must all adopt the new system at the same time."

A six-term year would not change the number of days children spend in school but would mean each term is the same length and changes would be made to existing holiday dates.

This would affect working parents who need to arrange childcare.

The first term of the year would start in late August with either an extended October or Christmas holiday. In the few years Easter falls early or late, Good Friday and Easter Monday would be taken as holidays in term time.

Proposed changes to the school year were initiated by the independent commission set up by the Local Government Authority.

It recommended the overhaul to stamp out teacher stress and improve education standards.

Headteachers and governors were asked for their opinions and 48 per cent were in favour, 37 per cent happy with the current situation and 15 per cent did not express a preference.