by political editor Paul Francis

Teachers unable to get to work because of bad weather could be sent to their nearest school to help out under plans being considered by county education chiefs.

The suggestion follows the widespread disruption caused by the prolonged wintry spell which saw hundreds of schools forced to close.

The closures were so severe it meant Kent schools between them lost 675 full days of teaching over just one week - the equivalent of about 19 terms.

Now Kent County Council says it plans to investigate if it can introduce a system in which teachers go to their nearest available school when they cannot reach their usual work. It will be considered as part of a review of how Kent dealt with the recent cold snap.

But the idea has already been denounced as unworkable and impractical by teaching unions, while some councillors have also voiced concerns.

Cllr Sarah Hohler (Con), KCC cabinet member for children's services, said: "We do need to review our strategy and in particular look at whether it could in some cases be possible for teachers to go to another school. It could be quite interesting for teachers but would mean that children could go to school."

Trevor Desmoyer-Davis of the Kent NASUWT said he was unconvinced and the idea was fraught with practical problems.
"If you think of health and safety, you cannot have people walking in to a school, saying 'I am a teacher' and then they are placed in a classroom. You might have someone who usually teaches 16-to-19 year-olds in a class of five-year-olds. The idea of a teacher arriving at a school is a complete non-starter."

Cllr Tom Gates (Con) also voiced doubts, warning that teachers could end up as babysitters.

"You could have a position where a teacher goes into a school, does not know any of the pupils and all they would be doing is baby-sitting."

But Ashford councillor Jim Wedgebury said the idea should be explored. He said the policy was used by the fire service: "Teachers have all been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau...it should not be a problem."