Old bus transformed into school music classroom

An old bus has been transformed into an outdoor music room for pupils at a Warwickshire school.

The bus, formerly driven for Johnson's Coaches, based in Henley-in-Arden, was donated to Evergreen school, Warwick, by the company.

It was stripped out and painted with vibrant flowers and butterflies, and wooden decking was built outside it on which students can perform.

"It's been a real team effort, we haven't spent a penny from our budget, so we've been relying on contributions and donations," said headteacher, Nick Evans.

Mr Evans told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire: "To see it's suddenly all come together, it's a brilliant time."

Evergreen is an all-age school for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND).

The project took about two years to realise, with the room officially opened on Wednesday when a student band performed on the new decking.

"Music's a huge part of the curriculum, and it's often not prioritised as much as it should be. We're really pleased to have a music provision that's accessible all day every day," said Mr Evans.

"We use music in every single aspect of our school day, especially in SEND - it helps with transition, it helps with regulation."

Peter Johnson from the Johnson's company said: "I'm so pleased to see it like it is. It’s such a lovely way to use a bus."

He added: "Just imagine, there's been thousands of these things built, all of them have gone to the scrap heap.

"We'll have one that'll be just building on Nick's team's sense of community."

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