SCHOOLS were thrown into chaos as teachers, support staff and pupils were left stranded overseas when planes stayed grounded because of the volcanic ash crisis.

At Conifers Primary School in Weymouth cover had to be arranged for two teachers and the school’s secretary after they got in touch to say they would not be back in Britain for the start of term.

Elsewhere in Weymouth, cover had to be arranged for two teachers at Wyke Regis Junior School.

Headteacher Carl Saunders said: “We had to arrange for supply teachers. We were made aware on Saturday that these teachers weren’t going to be back, so we had time to arrange some cover.

“We assume it will have to be in place for the rest of the week.”

Four pupils were also unable to get back to the school in time for the start of term.

Radipole Primary School had to make alternative arrangements after two teachers and some of its pupils reported they would be late back for the start of term.

One member of support staff at St Nicholas and St Lawrence School, Broadwey, is still stuck overseas, as are five pupils, who are with their families in America, Cyprus and Spain.

One member of the non-teaching staff and at least one pupil at Portesham Primary School near Weymouth also reported they would not be back for the start of term.

A teaching assistant and a pupil at Wyke Regis Infant School reported they would be late back for the start of term, as did one part-time teacher and some pupils at St Andrew’s School in Preston.

In Dorchester, one part-time teacher, three teaching assistants and the finance officer who work at Manor Park First School reported they were stranded abroad, as did at least six students.

Cover had to be arranged for the missing staff members.

A teaching assistant at St Mary’s Catholic First School in Dorchester is still stuck in Egypt and some of its pupils are also still abroad.

One nursery teacher and eight pupils are due to be absent from Sunninghill Preparatory School, Dorchester, for the rest of the week after being stranded abroad.

Supply cover had to be arranged for at least two teachers at the Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester, which also reported some of its students would be absent.

On Portland, Royal Manor Art College’s deputy headteacher Bob Russell confirmed that two teachers and one teaching assistant would be absent for the foreseeable future.

He said: “Thanks to the goodwill of their colleagues it will not cause too many problems.

“We’ve arranged cover for them and we also have some cover supervisors and heads of departments who can fill in to ensure that lessons are planned and learning takes place as usual.”

A Dorset County Council spokesman said 28 members of its staff are currently unable to return from their holidays, but added that the authority’s services would not be affected.