EAST Lancashire teaching unions today gave their backing to proposals letting students apply to universities after receiving their grades.

Far-reaching plans, which would need students to take A-levels at Easter and delay the start of the higher education academic year, were published by a Government appointed working group.

Professor Steven Schwartz, heading the task force, has also proposed a universal IQ test which would replace admissions applications.

Applications could also include new questions designed to explain any personal challenges pupils have overcome during their study, aimed at opening up opportunities for students from more deprived areas.

Chairmen of the Lancashire Association of the Secondary Heads' Association, Nigel Jepson, said there was a unique opportunity to extend the length of time between exam results coming out and the start of the university year.

"It would allow students to apply when they know how well they have done," he said. "Leading vice-chancellors have said they would be prepared to delay the start of term and schools could sit exams earlier."

David Fann, Blackburn national council member for the National Association of Headteachers, added: "Anything which allows open access to university and a more equal system is welcomed. We're happy with the proposals but are as yet unclear how they would actually work.

"It is also unclear how any new system of questions would better represent a student's hardship while studying. The system at present includes reference letters from teachers and a personal statement."