Management Information Sheet

Message to all schools

Volcanic disruption and UK flight ban - guidance for schools

Dear colleague

We are writing to you about the recent eruption of the Icelandic volcano and the current flight ban so we can minimise disruption to schools in Norfolk and maximise the support we give you, with the aim of keeping schools open wherever possible.

We are currently building up a picture of how the situation is affecting school staffing. If you have staff who are absent because of the current situation, please email us as soon as possible at volcano@norfolk.gov.uk, telling us the name of the member of staff and whether they are a head, deputy, teacher or a member of your school's support staff

Our current guidance is:

• Schools should stay open wherever possible.
• You should carry out a full risk assessment to make sure staff to pupil ratios are adequate.
• Please prioritise cover for pupils who have statutory assessment and exams coming up.
• How you record pupil absence is a matter for individual schools. If there is any update on this nationally, we will update you.
• At the moment, we are seeking agreement from the teaching unions that the 'rarely cover' arrangements will not apply in this exceptional and unforeseen circumstance. However, we are still awaiting national guidance on this.
• The decision about whether to pay school staff stranded abroad is a local decision to be made by the headteacher in conjunction with the chair of governors. When making your decision, it is worth taking the following into consideration:
  
  - Where staff are stranded and what opportunities there are for them to make alternative arrangements to get home
  
  - Whether your budget will support special paid leave, balanced with the cost of supply staff
  
  
• School staff stranded abroad on school trips should obviously continue to be on full pay

If you have any other issues about school trips abroad, please contact Graham Lodge, our Educational Visits Adviser, in the usual way, on either 01603 433276 or by email: graham.lodge@norfolk.gov.uk

We will make sure we keep you updated if guidance changes or if there is anytng to add to the current guidance.

Regards

Paul Fisher