Education chiefs have performed a dramatic U-turn on plans to radically redraw Bradford's school calendar.

They have admitted there is not enough time to introduce the changes until 2005 at the earliest.

Bradford Council originally wanted to switch schools to a six-term year in 18 months' time. Under the plan, the long summer holiday would be shortened and the autumn half-term extended. And the spring break would no longer automatically coincide with the Easter weekend.

But the Council has faced widespread criticism of its attempts to consult parents on the plans, via the internet.

A special website drew 1,500 responses but contained no security measures to stop people voting many times over.

Today the Council acknowledged that any recommendation on the proposals could not be implemented in time for the start of the 2004 school year. Labour education spokesman Councillor Ralph Berry said: "It's a climb-down.

"They have recognised that you can't push something like this through without adequate consultation, and they have backed off."

The proposal would put school holidays in Bradford out of step with those in surrounding districts, where a six-term year has already been rejected.

The National Union of Teachers was among the plan's critics. Coun Berry said: "The Council has sent out the wrong message. These are major changes and you can't do them on the quiet.

"Had there not been the criticism they may well have been able to drive them through.

"I hope there has been a lesson learned here."

Bradford Education director Phil Green denied the internet consultation had been handled badly.

But he admitted: "The whole process will take longer than we originally anticipated."

He said it had emerged that many parents did not want school holidays in Bradford to differ greatly from those elsewhere.

"A number of issues have been raised," he said. "These include ensuring that our terms will be in step with those of neighbouring authorities."

Mr Green said further consultation would now take place but that "it would not therefore be feasible to introduce changes before September 2005."

Schools Section