Where do I buy a Book Bus ? and other outdoor classroom accommodation options ?

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Hello, Our school wrap-around club has outgrown the space available. It runs separately from school, but uses the school buildings, renting the space from school. The numbers of children using the club have rocketed over the last 2 or 3 years and we have run out of space. I have been tasked with what options are available for additional outside space to use as well as the space we already use. I also need to look at the outline costs and planning and construction/installation constraints associated with each, then take these to the governors to see which they'd least mind being outside school.

On my list of things to look into I have got:
Book Bus
Yurt
Wood cabin
Shipping container
Portakabin
Static caravan

The idea is to position the extra "room" close enough to the school building to use the toilets and snack facilities, but obviously the "room" will need to be heated in some way.

For most of these things, I can find many indicative answers through Google and work ( I am a civil engineer, I work on building sites and am quite used to hiring Portakabins) but where do I look for buying a book bus?

eBay, we saw a good Volvo bus for £500 starting bid that was drivable, or try local bus companies that may be willing to donate old transport they have replaced.

What about decor / signage for the outside, plus, what willyourlighting and heating be? We toyed with this but are totally new to it!

No school is going to let you put a £500 bus on the school site or a shipping container (one school I know has a bill of thousands have one removed as it now needs a crane over an extension) or a static caravan.

Buses need to be insured- a condition is often inside parking- so they need a high garage.

Portakabin needs planning, and services. You can rent or but you need to use approved contractors. You will need panning. You will pay ground rent. The school should put this out to tender, one school i know gave a 25 year lease for about £100,000.

Yurt- may need planning.

Lots of schools are taking running provision in house. Much more flexible staffing possible and an opportunity to make money in budget tight times.

You will need to consider your Ofsted registration and staffing as well.

Ds2's school has a book bus

Our after school club's numbers are governed by square footage available. What type of structure would count as 'official' space? I'm thinking not a yurt.

TBH I think a terrapin would be best if the funds can be found.

My dc school has a book bus for a school library but it would in no way work for an after school club space. It also needs a fair amount of on going maintenance.

Yes, I am very mindful that many possibilities will need cranes.

The after school club is independent of school. We have approached the school about them taking over the club, but they have said that this is not something that they would do. However, they are miffed that we have turned people away because of space, and they are concerned that people are not applying to the school, because of lack of space for wrap around care.

We have agreed with the governors to look into possible options and the various constraints, planning, etc around them (this is the type of thing I do for a job), insurance and running costs etc and produce a feasibility report, then go back to them.

The club has an Outstanding Ofsted registration and we do not want to jeopardise this. We are certainly not going to throw something up and hope for the best . I know that this is the start of a process that could take a couple of years or more, and may need professional support. Initial discussions with the Local Authority planners are positive. I 've also got in touch with another local school who have recently given up their library for a classroom, and moved their library into a bus in the playground.

The easiest and most logical option is to look t what space is already in the school. For example if you use the hall and library can you also use 2 classroom etc etc . This will increase their income as the rent will increase at no risk/cost to either party.

Thank you Strathmore. We are already using all the space inside the school that the governors will allow us to use. Club numbers have gone from low 40s to 90s in the last 5 years.

Quite a few buses on school premises,if drive able you don't need crane, but factor in cost of it being set into / stabilised in ground as a permanent structure,not just like an abandoned vehicle!

There was a feature a few weeks ago about a school who used one as dining space!