A primary school is to partially re-open today after the potentially harmful bacteria legionella was discovered in parts of its water supply. 

Nightingale Primary School in South Woodford, was closed on Monday after inspectors at Redbridge council found legionella in two buildings. 

The airborne bacteria, commonly found in man-made water systems, is considered low-risk when managed properly but can cause Legionaires' disease or a mild flu-like illness called Pontiac fever.

Today, the school has re-opened to year 5 and 6 pupils and staff will be supervising the use of hand sanitisers to prevent any risk of exposure. 

In a statement, the school said: "The works to remove Legionella bacteria from the affected parts of the school’s water system have been concluded and the school is waiting for official test results that will allow all pupils to return to school as normal.

"The main risk of legionella arises when the water gets into open-air droplets.  This could happen when a child washes their hands for instance. 

"To prevent this, hand sanitisers will be provided and use of them will be supervised by the learning support assistants from other year groups. 

"This will allow the children in years five and six to attend school safely. 

"We believe this is the right decision as it allows us to ensure the welfare of students in the school while reducing the disruption to students and staff.

"We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time."

Yesterday, parent Saira Malik, 30, of Woodford Bridge, told the Guardian she suspects legionella is responsible for her children’s' recent illnesses and is considering keeping them off school until she finds out the cause.  

She said: "My kids have suffered terribly since November.

"My eldest has this cough that will not budge and is phlegming and bringing up blood. 

"Mothers are fuming. There is more to this than the council and school are letting on. 

"A lot of pupils have been ill and the school will put it down to 'Winter flu' but we need to know when the water was last inspected."

The school has not said when it will fully re-open to all pupils.