Mike Tomlinson's report into the A-level system has recommended the end of the current system of applications based on predicted grades.

Eamonn O'Kane says universities should change their academic years

But implementing this would mean either school exams being taken earlier in the year - or the university term starting later.

Although teachers' unions have welcomed the report, the second-biggest union says it is against disrupting the school year and ending the long summer holiday.

Eamonn O'Kane, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, says the universities should change their academic year so that it begins in January.

"The schools should not be asked to accept another upheaval by the introduction of a six-term year in order to accommodate the universities," said Mr O'Kane.

Under proposals for a six-term year endorsed by the Local Government Association, terms would last seven weeks with at least a five-week break in the summer.

But teachers' unions have broadly backed the report into this year's A-level results chaos - welcoming its efforts to restore confidence in the exam system.

Helpful

Apart from the changes to the school year, the NASUWT welcomed the "careful report which is in stark contrast to some of the near hysterical comments made some time ago".

The Secondary Heads Association (SHA) supported all the report's major recommendations, including the need to clarify exam standards and to split up the two-part A-level system.

Mike Tomlinson's report is extraordinarily helpful, particularly in its emphasis on the need for consolidation and for proper piloting of further changes

Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Independent school head teachers were prominent in the early warnings about problems with this year's results.

And the SHA statement of support was issued jointly with two independent schools organisations - the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and Girls Schools Association.

"We believe Mike Tomlinson has struck the right balance between urgent action to restore confidence ... and the need for careful consideration and planning of more fundamental change," said the joint response.

Training

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers also praised the report.

"Mike Tomlinson's report is extraordinarily helpful, particularly in its emphasis on the need for consolidation and for proper piloting of further changes," said deputy general secretary, Gwen Evans.

"The report offers a well-judged series of solutions to the problems that emerged. It deserves widespread support."

There was also support from exam board Edexcel, which said the report would "help strengthen confidence in the system".

Chief executive John Kerr particularly welcomed proposals for "reducing the burden of assessment and external examining and of improving examiner training".

But it called for a more "robust" definition of a more independent role for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which he says would be "a key plank for public confidence".