SCHOOLS have announced later start dates after playgrounds and corridors were flooded in last week’s downpour.

Longfield School, in Duke’s Avenue, North Harrow, was heavily flooded in the downpour of rain last Wednesday and a lot of damage has been done to the school.

Floods gushed into corridors, leaving staff ankle-deep in dirty rain water, and fire crews were called to help tackle the problem as playgrounds and outdoor space remained flooded.

Pam Virdee, headteacher at Longfield Primary School, 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.”

Contractors are now working hard to ensure the school can be opened to its students next Monday.

Mrs Virdee added: “At this point it was all hands on deck to ensure the 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.”

Meanwhile, four other schools – 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 overrun by a few days.

Councillor Simon Brown, responsible 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.”