Learning Plus Expo

The much heralded Learning Plus Expo has been and gone.  Many thanks to Emma and her team for putting on a very polished show.  We enjoyed showing many teachers, head teachers, governors, civil servants and many others around the bus.  Several schools booked a visit and many more are pondering matters so time will tell how much fruit we will yield.

Inside the exhibition we shared a display stand with Dover Transport Museum with whom we can now offer a joint programme to schools. 

Lastly, the bus has often been compared to the TARDIS as it appears to be bigger on the inside than the outside.  This aspect took a new twist when we discovered Angela from Tudor times knitting in our living room!!!

Faversham Transport Weekend

Another great few days at the Faversham Transport Weekend. The first annual event we have visited twice. Thanks to all at South East Coackworks for being such excellent and kind hosts.

The bus has remained in Faversham to have a few minor battle scars patched up.  Next stop Learning Expo at Detling on Thursday.

2012 Learning Plus EXPO

Home Front Bus will be returning to Detling for the 2012 Learning Plus EXPO
Dateils pinched from the organisers publicity is as follows:

Subject Area: Cross Curricular Development, Evaluation &...*

Target Audiences: All School Staff

Key Stage: Foundation, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5, 14-19/24

Course Code: SCH 12/915

Date: Thursday 24 May 2012

Time: 10:00 - 17:00

Venue and Location: The Clive Emson Conference Centre

Course Director: Sean Carter
Event Summary:
The 2012 Learning Plus EXPO comes to Kent in a new era for education and childrens services. For the last three years, Learning Plus has been working with External Providers, who offer high quality learning opportunities outside the normal curriculum time and with the recent announcement of Department for Education funding for transition activities as well as the introduction of the Pupil Premium, schools are looking for innovative ways to narrow attainment and achievement gaps. 2012...*

Training Objectives:
Schools will take away from the EXPO:

- New contacts from External Providers who could run activities and summer schools

- Bespoke school improvement materials

- Impact measure tools to support the monitoring of services provided outside normal curriculum time

- Innovative and creative ideas for supporting learning within the classroom

- Up to date information regarding safeguarding young people in out of school hours' activities, the Pupil Premium and Ofsted...*

We look forward to meeting you there.

A Very Sunny 1940's Weekend

At last some good weather and what better place to be then in the idylic surroundings of Sheffield Park Station on the Bluebell Railway.  The team were kept busy all weekend entertaining enthusiastic visitors, many in period costume.  Thanks to all at the Bluebell for being such great hosts.

A Very 1940's Wet Weekend

For once the bus stayed at home (Dover Transport Museum) and the 1940's event came to it.  The very wet conditions didn't dampen the enthusiasm and a good time was had by all.  Apologies to the museum when the bus was moved off the grass on Sunday morning leaving deep ploughed ruts in its wake and thanks to Dave for shovelling gravel under the wheels to help the wheels get a grip.

Cab Makeover Finally Complete

Last autumn I thought that it would be a good idea to give the driver's cab a makeover.  Work started and stopped when it got cold, but I am pleased to say that it is now finished and I do not miss being contorted in such tight confines.

The next few months will be very busy with events.  Please check out our website http://www.homefrontbus.com/ to find out where we will be and when.

Out of Hibernation

It was great to dust down the bus and bring it out of a 8 week hibernation in a barn.

We started with a superb day at Greatstone Primary School, made all the more enjoyable by excellent hospitality and extremely switched on pupils.

“All the children (90 of them) have enjoyed your bus and will remember all the wonderful facts forever! Thank you and thanks to all your wonderful helpers”

Greatstone Primary School

Next the bus visited the Heritage Vehicle Show at Detling.  We didn't open up the bus to the public but simply showed it off.  All very self indulgent, but the occasion celebrated the 100th anniversary of AEC who built the bus and another anniversary of East Kent who operated it.

Lastly we made our first visit of the year to The Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne.  The sun shone and plenty of children enjoyed making Airfix Spitfires in a specially erected tent.