Schools in East Sussex could be starting a six-term academic year within two years.

East Sussex County Council is being recommended to scrap the current three terms and adopt six terms for the 2005 school year.

Consultation showed 48 per cent favoured a six-term year, compared with 37 per cent who wanted no change and 15 per cent who did not express a preference.

The commission set up by the Local Government Authority has recommended schools should switch to a six-term year by 2005.

It is claimed it will help raise standards in the classroom and reduce stress among teachers.

Schools would still be open to pupils for 190 days but the first term would start in late August with either an extended October or Christmas holiday.

When Easter falls early or late, Good Friday and Easter Monday would fall within term-time but still be taken as holidays.

The commission said large numbers of pupils and teachers fall ill in the run up to Christmas but it hopes the extended holidays in October or at Christmas will relieve the stress.

Exams would be held in the fifth term and the sixth term would be devoted to cultural visits and activities.

The summer break would be reduced to five weeks and one day.

The system means hay fever sufferers would be spared doing exams at the height of summer, while A-level students would know their results before applying to university, scrapping the clearing system.

The county council's cabinet meets on Tuesday at Lewes.