A school in Harrow has finally started the academic year after flash flooding severely damaged the building.

After the heavens opened across the borough on Wednesday August 26, homes and offices from Hatch End to Kingsbury were hit by flash floods.

Cars were abandoned, gardens turned into swimming pools and roads turned into rivers as drains burst under the sheer pressure of water.

One of the worst hit was Longfield Primary School, with a Harrow Council spokesman explaining that the school was neither safe nor hygienic in its flood-damaged state.

Initially meant to reopen to children for the start of term on Thursday (September 3), Longfield Primary school pupils eventually returned to the classroom on Monday (September 7).

The school is now dry, safe and clean, thanks to a massive joint effort by council teams and school staff.

Amazingly, after such a disaster, the children had missed just two days of school.

Before and after: A corridor at Longfield Primary School
Before and after: A corridor at Longfield Primary School

Longfield Primary School headteacher Pam Virdee said: “Having seen the terrible flood damage first hand, I feared the school would never be the same again, but in the days that followed I cannot believe how hard all involved worked to ensure that it was cleaned to a very high standard, ready for the children.

“We are very pleased to have the children back in school and we look forward to having another fantastic year at Longfield.”

Simon Brown, Harrow Council portfolio holder for children, schools and families, said: “It is amazing that the school and council have managed to clear up all the mess so quickly.

“Our contractors have excelled and I must applaud the dedication of so many of the staff at the school, who worked round the clock, and all over the weekend.

“In particular, I would like to praise the dedication and commitment of school site supervisor, Roy Costen, who worked 15 hour days.

“I see this attitude of going over and above and beyond the call of duty throughout the schools in Harrow, and this is a major factor in why we are able to provide such outstanding education to our young people.”