More than 50 teachers and scores of pupils from Ashford schools were stranded abroad by the ash cloud as the new term started this week after the Easter holiday.
Some students stuck overseas were even emailing their teachers in the UK from internet cafes, appealing for revision work to help them prepare for crucial upcoming exams.
Among the hardest hit schools was the North School in Essella Road, where 14 teachers could not get back for the start of term on Monday.
Deputy head Adrienne Smith said: “Despite the fact we’ve got 14 missing, it’s still business as usual. We’ve got a large complement of teachers and can cope. Staff affected are trying to get back from North America, Europe and the Far East.”
Seven teacher at the Towers School were left stranded while Highworth Grammar School had 25 pupils trapped abroad in places as far afield as New Zealand, Greece, Egypt, India and Japan, and seven of its teachers were also battling to get home.

Head teacher Paul Danielsen said: “Some of our girl students are very clever, using their initiative to email teachers, and asking if they can be emailed work to get on with. It shows a lot of commitment.”
The Norton Knatchbull School was missing four teachers out of 100 – one in Gran Canaria, one in Barbados, one in France and one in Seoul.
Christ Church High School had three teachers stuck abroad, in Egypt, Turkey and America.

See this Thursday's Kentish Express for a full round-up on how the volcanic ash created travel chaos.

Were you or your family caught up in the travel chaos? If so, call our newsroom on 01233 623232 or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk