School children in Bristol were joined by a senior government minister to welcome a new learning space – a disused double-deck bus. The 12-tonne vehicle, donated by First Bus in the West of England, has been transformed from a 75-seat vehicle at the end of its life into a classroom upstairs and a play and meeting space downstairs. Pupils at the school in Bristol gave invited guests a tour of their new facility, including local MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, local education leaders and representatives from First Bus, which funded the project as part of its ongoing community work.
First, working with Ensignbus, converted the double decker to provide a 30-seat classroom upstairs with conference-style tables to provide a collaborative space where teachers can show and demonstrate to pupils. The existing seats have been preserved but repositioned, so the classroom still retains a bus feel. Meanwhile the downstairs
area has been transformed into a meeting and play space, which can be used for pupils with more specialist needs or for meetings with parents and carers who prefer to talk with staff away from a traditional school setting.
The school says it also hopes to use the bus for pupil school council meetings, as well as more formal meetings, including with school governors and other external stakeholders. Headteacher and Chair of the Primary Heads Association Bristol (PHAB) Massimo Bonaddio said: “We are so grateful for this exceptionally kind donation from First Bus, and for them spending the time to convert it into a classroom, play and meeting space. We’re really proud to be a school that strives to cater for all the children in our community. This space will provide us with a range of opportunities for teaching and meeting, and also provide a safe, alternative, space away from the main school, for example, should someone feel anxious about coming into a busy school environment.
(left) joins First Bus West of England Managing Director Doug Claringbold, Co-Chair of Governors Ciara Mullan (centre), Deputy Headteacher Julie Barlow, and pupils to view the new classroom and activity space. FIRST/JON CRAIG PHOTOS
“I’m not sure who is more excited about having this converted bus space on site, myself and the staff team, or the pupils! It’s such an exciting addition to our school.” The donation is part of an ongoing programme to upcycle old buses and support local community activities. Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First Bus in the West of England, added: “We’re very much a local company, run by local people which puts us right at the heart of local communities, and it’s great to see a little part of our company taking pride of place at the school.
“As with all vehicles there comes a time when they reach the end of their life, so we couldn’t be prouder seeing this local double-decker recycled and given a new lease of life for such a good cause. I know the pupils and teachers are going to love this new addition to their school.”
