EDUCATION chiefs in Wales are considering a radical shake-up of the school year which could signal the end of the six-week summer break.

The new system - which could be in place as soon as August 2004 - would see shorter terms, earlier summer exams to avoid the hay fever season and a change to the existing holidays.

The three-term structure, which has existed for 125 years, would be scrapped under proposals being considered by the Welsh Local Government Association's co-ordinating committee on Friday. The leaders of Wales' 22 local authorities will discuss the plan as part of their regular monthly meeting in Local Government House, Cardiff.

Four models are being proposed for further discussion with teachers' unions and parents. One of the ideas involves reducing the summer break to four weeks.

But the scheme is not being backed by unions who say the six-week summer break is a strong lure to attract people to the teaching profession.

And a detailed report on the plans suggests the five or six-week summer break would remain the WLGA's preferred option.

"Teachers unions were adamant that the current six-week break must be maintained, stressing that the removal of this incentive might lead to a recruitment crisis," the report notes.

The report suggests that moving holidays for Welsh school children could have a knock-on effect of reducing the cost of summer holidays, as peak weeks for the travel industry are set for the time the majority of families take their annual break.

However, the report is not entirely optimistic on this score, noting that "this could simply lead to an extension of 'peak time' prices". The sixth term, which would come after the exam period, would be set aside for personal development and "an opportunity to undertake tasks that are both enjoyable and rewarding".

Over the past two years Wales' 22 local education authorities have been working to harmonise their terms and holidays.

In England, where a number of schools have been experimenting with five- term structures, the Local Government Association commissioned an independent study of how best to organise the school year.

The commission's findings were used as a base for the proposals being put forward for Wales.

That commission, chaired by retired MP Chris Price, favours the six-term model and is due to update its proposals for England in the light of a twelve-month consultation on October 5.