A Harrow primary school was forced to close on Monday (November 2) after building works in the classrooms were feared to have disturbed asbestos.

In a letter to parents of children at Elmgrove Primary School, Harrow Council apologised for the delay of the first week of the new term, as the school had to be closed down due to unexpected health and safety issues.

The letter reads: “ While concluding half-term building works last Friday, we became concerned that our construction contractors may have accidentally disturbed asbestos within the school’s walls.

“We value health and safety above all other considerations, and would never permit workers, staff or children to enter a site that was at any risk of even the slightest asbestos contamination.”

“As a result, we took the immediate decision to close down the works and the school and undergo

rigorous testing of the building and the air within it. The tests do, unfortunately, take several days – which has caused the delay to the start of term.”

According to Harrow Council the results came back and showed zero asbestos contamination in or around the school.

Classes will resume on Tuesday (November 3) however Years 4, 5 and 6 will resume on Wednesday, November 4 to allow refurbishment to be completed.

Head Teacher Darren Aisthorpe and his team are reportedly working on a strategy to re-provide lost teaching time over the remainder of the year.