Weston College student carpenters help school pupils turn a double-decker bus into a unique classroom

Weston College student carpenters have renovated a double-decker bus for Ashcombe Primary School to create a unique quiet study area for pupils.

The College's Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) set about installing comfortable seating in the downstairs area to create a chill-out zone.

Construction lecturer  Shaun Canniford said: "We were delighted to help with such a novel project. The children love what we've created and we hope to get involved with renovating the upper deck."

Aschcombe School was one of several in the area given the chance to work with North Somerset Council's partner, Weston Excellence, which offered pupils the chance to bid for a £5,000 grant towards an innovative project to enhance their school.

An eight-strong group of Year Five and Six pupils worked with Weston Excellence and their fellow classmates to come up with a scheme.

Teaching Assistant Tina Langston said: "They thought of Astroturf, an old train carriage and even a yurt.

"We are quite a big school with 420 pupils, so they decided on a double-decker bus as the train carriage was too expensive.

"We bought the bus off the Internet from Essex but it won't drive on the road now. We had enough money to fund bean bags, cushions and curtains and it was great to have Weston College's practical support plus lots of parental help.

"The children go on ten-at-a-time with little bus tickets and they just love their unique learning bus."

In 2010, the CECE won a 'National Training Award' for the South West of England.

It delivers training in a wide range of construction occupations including, electrical installation, carpentry, trowel trades, painting, decorating, plastering, property maintenance, as well as renewable energy courses and apprenticeships.  From September this year plumbing courses will also be launched.

The CECE holds specialist workshops for training electricians along with bespoke brickwork and carpentry workshops at a resource-based learning centre with online learning available.

The CECE is also a test centre for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and health and safety card.

There is a 100 per cent success rate for Level 2 qualifications with around 70 per cent of CECE students finding work in industry while others enhance their DIY skills.

For more information on practical courses at Weston College call 01934 411 481 or go to www.weston.ac.uk