SCHOOL governors gave a cautious welcome to news that a radical shake-up in the school year is being considered.

As reported in yesterday's Argus, leaders of the 22 local authorities in Wales are set to debate a change to the current three-term system tomorrow in Cardiff.

Chris Prosser, chairman of governors at Ponthir VC (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School, said she believed the current terms should be reviewed.

She said: "I see a review of the school year as being necessary. I welcome the review to the school year. It's long overdue but I would hope any changes they do recommend are in consultation with head teachers, governing bodies and teaching staff."

Mrs Prosser said she was unsure about what length of school year she would want to see introduced.

Keith Dunn, (pictured) chairman of governors at Clytha Primary School, Newport, also welcomed news that changes were going to be debated.

He said: "Personally I would welcome the opportunity to have further debate about the school year and how terms are set out. But of course it's a matter for the governing body to debate when we know what the details are.

"I'm happy to look at all options for the benefit of pupils. It's worth discussing but it needs to be looked at in detail."

Mr Dunn added he would be guided in any debate he took part in by what the teaching staff at his school thought of any proposals put forward. But Nicola Masters, owner of Pontypool-based Osbourne Lodge Day Care Nursery, said she and other working parents she had spoken to had concerns about any possible changes.

Mrs Masters said any alteration to the school year would make no difference to her business as her nurseries were open all year. But she said as a parent there would be consequences for her and others she had spoken to.

She said: "The way we feel as working mums is if they make the summer holidays shorter it may encourage some parents to keep children off school to go on holiday."

Mrs Masters added problems could also arise if parents in one company wanted to take the same time off to look after their children during any shortened school holidays. She said: "Not all parents can take the same time off because companies don't like to be short of staff."

She also said if holidays were longer in the winter children may become bored more quickly.

Gareth Barker, head teacher at King Henry VIII, Abergavenny, welcomed the discussion on term times.

He said: "It's something that needs to be looked at. What we have now has been in place for generations and things have changed in school and society. We need to reflect current needs."

Mr Barker said some of the current terms were long and if more shorter terms were introduced more effective work could be done.