The flight freeze caused by volcanic eruptions in Iceland has left 15 teachers and staff members from one White City school stranded around the world.
Burlington Danes Academy in Wood Lane has managed to stay open despite the chaos caused by the volcano, with teachers on site giving up all their free periods to cover for absent colleagues.
Some teaching staff have been forced to make their way back to London over land and sea from mainland Europe, but others remain trapped abroad and may not be able to return for another week or more.
Assistant principal Stephen Adcock said: "We've got staff all over the place – there are three in New York and there's one in Jamaica and one in India.
"They're quite exasperated to be honest, the guys in New York have been offered have been offered a flight next week, and the person in India can't get one until May 2.
"The staff who are here have agreed to cover their colleagues classes in their free periods, and we've also collapsed classes together with senior teachers taking the larger lessons."
Around 20 of the academy's students also remain stranded overseas and in other continents.
"Like lots of schools we have a very diverse population," said Mr Adcock. "We have students stranded in Morocco, Kuwait and elsewhere.
"The timing is not great because, with the two-week break, a lot of them have been away, and it's pretty much exam season straight away after they back. Where there is an exam class without a teacher, we're redirecting teachers to those classes."
Principal Sally Coates added: "I have been amazed by the willingness of teachers to step up to the plate in supporting their colleagues and prioritising the education of our students. I am in regular contact with those stranded overseas, and we hope to welcome them back soon."
Some flights into London resumed yesterday after fears subsided about the potential danger of volcanic ash clouds caused by the continuing eruption of the volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, which began unleashing clouds of ash high into the atmosphere of northern Europe last Thursday.
The knock-on effect caused the part-closure of the Bridge Academy in Fulham, where some students are having to stay at home to be taught online.
Pupils from year nine at Henry Compton School in Fulham were also told to stay at home this week, and at Fulham Cross girls' school only pupils in years 10 and 11 were able to attend classes.
Three Hammersmith nurseries - at Larmenier and Sacred Heart Primary, St Paul's Primary and Flora Gardens Primary – were all closed this week, with further closures possible.
