SCHOOL years with six terms rather than three are not being considered in Worcestershire, despite a national push towards a new system.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is encouraging councils and schools to implement its standard school year of six terms.

The system, introduced in the 2003/4 school year, divides the three-term system into six terms, increasing the autumn holiday.

It is designed to make term lengths more similar to try to reduce pupil and teacher stress and make the process of learning more continuous.

But the move is not being looked at in Worcestershire, according to Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people.

She said that although discussion about the changes had cropped up now and again, as far as she knew it was not being given serious consideration in the county.

"It's one of these perpetual things. It just goes round and round," she said.

"Kids need a balance between school and breaks, it helps them develop as people. But I am not aware that we are looking at this system."

At the moment, about half of all councils implement the standard school year and the LGA said a consistent approach could benefit many people and also reduce the need for parents to take their children out of school during term times, which would lead to fewer parental fines and less truancy.

Coun Les Lawrence, the LGA's chairman of the children and young people board, said: "Families are the glue holding society together. If they are to remain life's linchpins, then schools and councils must work together to create an environment where families can thrive.

"Fixed term dates are better attuned to the realities of modern day life. People have become progressively mobile and parents are more savvy when it comes to matching the needs of their children to the most suitable schools."