Volcano travel chaos hits new school term

Emergency contingency plans were being drawn up in schools as hundreds of teachers and pupils were stranded abroad with no idea yet when flights will resume.

The summer term is due to start tomorrow, but it is only today that schools will find out how many members of staff have been affected by the grounding of flights following last Wednesday’s eruption in Iceland.

Education said that a roll call of teachers would be taken this morning as they went into work for a training day.

The homecoming of public sector staff stranded abroad looks likely to be marred by yet more frustration and misery as they face losing several days’ pay.