TEACHERSÕ unions are breathing a sigh of relief this week over Hampshire County CouncilÕs decision to delay adoption of a six-term school year.
Their persistence, they believe, has managed to buy time in the hope that any move towards a six-term year will coincide with adoption of an across-the-board national policy, rather than Hampshire going it alone.
The decision to take a step back was taken by cabinet on Tuesday following a recommendation by executive member for education, Don Allen, to stick with the traditional three-term system until 2005/06.
This, it was suggested, would allow neighbouring local education authorities time to decide on how they would like to progress.
ÒIn effect we have bought ourselves a year during which time the government will hopefully have decided that any change will have to be implemented on a national basis,Ó said NASUWT senior vice-president Pat Lerew.
The NASUWT has been campaigning, with other teachersÕ unions, against unilateral implementation of a six-term year which they believe would create mayhem. If HCC had voted to introduce a six-term year from September, the unions were preparing to engage in industrial action.
Mr Allen regarded the delay as ÒdisappointingÓ but said: ÒWe want to get the change right.
ÒWhile there are clear indicators that LEAs in the South are looking for a lead which Hampshire as a large LEA will give, we want to move forward united, so work will continue to enable this to happen.Ó