BURNLEY and Pendle's wakes weeks school holidays could be scrapped within two years, it was revealed today.

Plans to introduce a six-term school year are to be put on ice until it is known whether other local education authorities support the idea.

But Lancashire County Council's education bosses are to press ahead with talks in both boroughs about bringing their school holidays in line with everywhere else in Lancashire in time for the 2005/06 school year.

A report will be presented to Coun Alan Whittaker, in charge of education at the county council, tomorrow urging the move.

The review was prompted after the Local Government Association published a report suggesting a six-term school year be adopted instead of the current three. Because each term would be a set number of weeks, the traditional Easter break would fall by the wayside.

For that to work in Lancashire, all schools would need to take the same holidays -- meaning an end to the wakes weeks holidays in Burnley in Pendle.

A report on the consultation reveals that, across Lancashire, 52 per cent of those consulted supported the six-term year.

In Burnley, 51 per cent of people consulted backed the idea, but in Pendle 77 per cent of people who responded were opposed to change.

People asked included teaching unions, teachers, schools, colleges and parents themselves.

Some of the reasons given for opposition include the potential increase in truancy because parents were taking their youngster away, doubts about educational benefits, effects on holiday costs and satisfaction with current arrangements.

The NUT is opposed to change, stating that 'local flexibility' is very important, although it notes having different holiday patterns can affect children who move to schools in other boroughs.

But Lancashire County Council analysis of test and GCSE results indicates that the current holiday pattern could be a reason for lower grades in Burnley and Pendle.

And many students progressing to college find themselves on the wrong courses for them because they start before their GCSE results are known. Elsewhere, college term starts after the publication of GCSEs.

The report states: "In view of the response to the supplementary question on the Burnley and Pendle District Holiday Patterns, it is suggested that further discussions be held with local stakeholders during 2003, with a view to further consultations on possible amendments to the District Holiday Patterns from 2005/06.

Coun Alan Whittaker, in charge of education, was today unavailable for comment.

In the past, however, he has voiced support for a standard school holiday pattern for all schools on the grounds that the current system 'leaves pupils tired at the end of long terms.