AN OLD Harlow school has applied to move a double decker bus into their school grounds in order to use it as an extra classroom.

Fawbert and Barnard Primary school on London Road, has submitted their plans to the Harlow Council planning portal.

The application states:

Being a Victorian building, we lack additional areas where small groups can go for interventions or as break out areas for learning. We would like to install a double decker bus on our school grounds. This measures 4.39 metres (high) x 2.55 metres (wide) x 10.504 metres (length). This will be converted in phases to provide additional teaching areas that are desperately needed within the school. We have been fortunate enough to have had this donated to us through a member of staff contact.

Phase 1 – We will be required to create a hardstanding area for this to be situated on our school field before we can take delivery. This area will be 1 metre wider and longer than the bus measurements above (and situated as shown on the site map marked BUS situ)

Phase 2 – Arrange for it to be watertight and have lighting and heat installed. We are looking into eco friendly ways of providing this as well as the most cost effective meeting health and safety standards.

Phase 3 – Transform the learning space using our children’s ideas, with the upstairs area for a sit and talk, along with a sensory area and the downstairs offering group work spaces. The exterior will be pained with trees to blend into it’s surroundings.

The school are currently fundraising for this project and have secured around £2000 so far with donations, marathon runs and dressing up days taking place as well as one child being successful in gaining a grant towards the costs involved.

We are involving pupils and parents in this project as much as possible to provide the skills we require, ie building a re-enforced concrete base, painting the bus inside and out, carpentry and other advice.

The full application cab be found at www.harlow.gov.uk Go to planning and search for HW/LDCP/23/00101