News / Henbury
Double decker bus given new lease of life as classroom
A double decker bus which reached the end of its service life on the roads has been given a new lease of life as a classroom.
The 75-seater vehicle has been reimagined as a classroom at Blaise Primary & Nursery School in Henbury.
Teachers and pupils at the school welcomed guests to showcase the converted bus which weighs 12 tonnes and once travelled the length and breadth of the West Country,
The guests included Darren Jones, chief secretary to the treasury and Labour MP for Bristol North West, as well as representatives from First Bus who funded the project.
The 75-seater vehicle has been reimagined as a classroom at Blaise Primary & Nursery School in Henbury
Massimo Bonaddio, head teacher at Blaise Primary & Nursery School and chair of the Primary Heads Association Bristol (PHAB), 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 to all the children in our community.
“This space will provide us with a range of opportunities for teaching and meeting, and also offer a safe, alternative space away from the main school for pupils who may feel anxious about entering a busy school environment.”
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the treasury and Labour MP for Bristol North West, speaking to the pupils at Blaise Primary & Nursery School
First Bus, in collaboration with international bus manufacturer Ensignbus, repurposed the double-decker as a unique educational space.
The upper deck now features a 30-seat classroom with conference-style tables. While the original seats have been retained, they have been repositioned to preserve the distinct character of the bus.
The lower deck has been transformed into a flexible meeting and play area, catering to pupils with additional needs, including those requiring a space for social or emotional support.
It will also serve as a venue for meetings with parents and carers, offering an alternative to the traditional school setting.
The bus is also set to host school council discussions and governors meetings.
The teachers and pupils at Blaise Primary & Nursery School welcomed guests to showcase the converted bus
Doug Claringbold, managing director of First Bus in the West of England, said: “We’re very much a local company, run by local people, which puts us right at the heart of local communities.
“It’s great to see a little part of our company taking pride of place at Blaise Primary and Nursery School.
“As with all vehicles, there comes a time when they reach the end of their life, so we couldn’t be prouder to see 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.”
All photos: @JonCraig_Photos
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