PUPILS at a Bournemouth primary school have access to a refurbished reading bus thanks to the efforts of the local community.

The bus was purchased after a rise in pupil numbers led to the school’s reading den being used as a classroom.

When it arrived in May it was in need of a makeover and that’s when the community swung into action with parents, friends and staff giving up their time.

Local suppliers and the school’s PTA also contributed and it is now being used by pupils at the Hadow Road school.

Volunteers have repainted the bus, built book shelves, re-upholstered seats and fitted carpet tiles.

They have also installed electrics, air conditioning, whiteboards, lighting and chairs.

The bus has been decorated on the outside with vinyl graphics and is now ready for an official opening ceremony.

It will be used by pupils as a reading den and will be looked after by Child Librarians (Year 6 pupils), who will help by suggesting books, keeping the den tidy and offering paired reading to younger pupils. The upstairs has been converted into a classroom for teaching small groups.

Project Co-ordinator and class teacher Tony Maguire is delighted with how everyone has rallied together to help make his vision a reality.

He said: “I was a little daunted at first as to how everything would get done on a very tight budget, but we have been overwhelmed with the level of support from everyone in the community, which just goes to show what can be achieved when we all pull together. I cannot thank everyone enough for all their help.”

Headteacher Richard Gower added: “The bus is a perfect example of how the school and the community can work together to benefit our children’s learning. Reading is a huge part of the Kingsleigh culture and having the bus will make it fun for the children and open up opportunities for them.

“Our long term aim is to be able to open the bus outside of school hours and during holidays so that everyone in the community can benefit from it.”

The school has plans to develop a seating area outside of the bus using donated Astroturf and then to ultimately fit a roof over that area so it can also be used in all weathers.