Headteachers say they would consider moving to a five-term school year after education chiefs put the idea to Prime Minister Tony Blair during his visit to Chelmsford on Tuesday.

Iris Pummell, chairman of Essex County Council's education committee, has asked officers to draw up an extensive report looking at revamping the school year.

Some schools in the county are already debating whether to shift to five terms instead of the traditional three.

Mrs Pummell took the chance to quiz the PM and education minister David Blunkett about the idea during their visit to the county town.

She said: "Mr Blunkett said we could not have one school going it alone on this experiment and the idea needed consultation with parents, local authorities and community groups.

"There are very strong feelings from Essex teachers that schools are currently subject to an enormous workload through a variety of major new initiatives.

"A new five-term year could be a way of reducing stress and strain given the more frequent but shorter holiday breaks."

Ted Rowley, headteacher at Witham's John Bramston School, remained open-minded.

"Towards the end of a long term both teachers and students become very tired so I can see the benefit of having shorter terms," he said.

"Clearly there will be some disadvantages but we probably won't find out what they are until we try it."

Janey Avery-Goodacre, spokeswoman for Tabor High in Braintree, said teachers at the 900-pupil school had not formally discussed the proposals.

But she said their timetable was being reviewed next year when the school moved on to a single site.

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