Pupils and staff have ­celebrated the return to their primary school, now unrecognisable from five months ago when it was devastated by a flood.

Ilford Recorder: Mayespark Primary School, reopened afte rmajor flood.Mayespark Primary School, reopened afte rmajor flood. (Image: Archant)

Mayespark Primary School, in Goodmayes Lane, Goodmayes, was closed in April after water poured through the building from a burst water main in the loft.

Ilford Recorder: The corridoor in April: Ceiling tiles had fallen down and walls had crumbled.The corridoor in April: Ceiling tiles had fallen down and walls had crumbled. (Image: Archant)

Dozens of classrooms across two floors were ­ruined with books, equipment and furniture soaked.

Ilford Recorder: Mayespark Primary School, reopened afte rmajor flood.Mayespark Primary School, reopened afte rmajor flood. (Image: Archant)

Skips had to be filled with children’s toys, work and carefully-assembled wall displays as workers repaired fallen ceilings, dangling lights, crumbled walls and floors.

Younger pupils had to be taught at the Loxford School of Science and Technology, in Loxford Lane, for the rest of the summer term.

But children returned to school this month to find the building better than new ­after a refurbishment. Headteacher Chris Lamb said it had been “very upsetting”.

She added: “The water came down through the ceilings from the loft down to the ground floor.

“The amount of damage was quite incredible.

“Now it looks very smart and the children are all very pleased to be back in school.

“We are very grateful to Loxford but it is lovely for them to be back together.”