LEADERS of churches and schools in Bromsgrove have had a mixed reaction to plans to replace the Easter holidays with a fixed, non-religious spring break.

The Government has published the results of a consultation into changing the current three-term academic year into a six term one.

This would see the Easter fortnight replaced with a fixed break which has sparked nationwide outrage from the Church of England.

North Bromsgrove High School headteacher Kevin Peck said a fixed break wouldn't make any difference to Easter being recognised.

He added: "It would be more convenient for education if there was a fixed term of a regular length.

"I don't think this would effect the religious aspect of Easter because we would still celebrate it and recognise it in school."

Barnt Green's St Andrew's Church of England First School head, Kay Cholmondely, said: "Easter holidays are movable which creates difficulties for the curriculum.

"We have worked around this by starting our summer term work at the end of the spring term."

The Rev Pat Harvey, of Finstall's St Godwald's Church of England School, said: "I would still like to see a holiday given around Easter time but can't see anything wrong with a fixed break."

Rev Viv Gasteen, of Longbridge Methodist Church, in Bristol Road South, said: "As a Christian I have no objections as long as religious holidays like Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are taken off."