COUNTY COUNCIL NEEDS URGENT CONTINGENCY PLANS TO FILL ANY TEACHER GAPS FOLLOWING VOLCANIC ASH FLIGHT BAN

10.11.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Apr 2010

Liberal Democrat candidate Sandy Walkington has expressed his concern on the impact of stranded teachers on local Year 11-13 students facing GCSE, AS and A2 exams in a few weeks.

"Today is an INSET day for many schools," he comments "but I am sure we will quickly learn the scale of any problem. The Easter break is a popular one for teacher holidays - there are bound to be gaps and shortages.

"I hope that Hertfordshire County Council is doing an urgent audit of the situation and preparing to put out a call for teachers (with current valid CRB clearances) who are not currently working to get in touch with the council to see where they might be needed.

"I hope that no pupils have to be sent home, but priority must be given to keeping teaching and revision classes going for those facing exams in a few short weeks, with language orals being a particular concern."