Longfield Primary School in Harrow has had to delay the start of its new academic year after flooding damaged the school last week.
The school, situated on Dukes Avenue in north Harrow, was heavily damaged after the flooding on Wednesday (August 26) and, as a result, have had to delay re-opening to pupils by a week.
Initially meant to start school on Wednesday (September 2) or Thursday (September 3), Longfield Primary school pupils will now start the first term of this academic year on Monday (September 7).
According to a Harrow Council spokesman, the school is neither safe nor hygienic and they are working hard to get it ready for next week.
Longfield Primary School headteacher, Pam Virdee, said: “I had only left the school for a couple of hours that lunchtime and when I returned to see the playground completely flooded, I was speechless.
“There was nothing we could do to stop it. I could have cried. The water had reached so much of the ground floor. You had to see it to believe it.
“At this point it was all hands on deck to ensure that children can return to a safe, clean, tidy environment on Monday.
“Teams from Harrow Council and my staff are working very hard to give us the best chance to have the school ready and I would like to thank all involved for their support.”
A Harrow Council spokesman said that this delay in term start won't affect any other term dates throughout the year.
'We apologise to parents inconvenienced by this delayed start to term'
Four other schools in Harrow: Camrose, Cannon Lane, Elmgrove and Kenmore Park (Infants and Juniors) will also be starting their term on Monday (September 7) as the summer building works there have reportedly overrun by a few days.
Simon Brown, Harrow Council portfolio holder for children, schools and young people, said: “We apologise to parents inconvenienced by this delayed start to term.
"We understand how important the start of the school year is for learning and how crucial it is that pupils and staff are able to concentrate in their exceptional new environment, without distraction.
“This summer has seen building on an enormous scale across Harrow’s schools, delivering new classrooms and facilities to 20 primary, secondary and special schools. We are proud to say that most of those buildings and refurbishments are now complete to a very high standard.
“These works are the reason why Harrow is able to offer every one of its children a place at a good, local school, when so many other authorities are struggling. After these few days’ delay, our pupils and teachers can look forward to enjoying decades of excellent facilities.”
West London suffered severe flooding last week as transport was blighted and London Fire Brigade received a record number of call-outs thanks to the freak weather.
