All Aboard the Ivy House Express! 

We officially opened the Ivy House Express on Tuesday 11th February 2025, a historic train carriage transformed into a magical library right here at Ivy House School.

This project was driven by a simple yet powerful vision: to give our students, many of whom face complex health and educational challenges, the opportunity to experience the joy of train travel and the wonder of reading. For students who may find community outings difficult, bringing the train to them was a dream we couldn't pass up.

Our carriage, built in Derby in 1974, has journeyed across the country and now finds its forever home at Ivy House School. In a heartwarming twist, we had the honour of meeting some of the original builders of this carriage during our grand opening, bringing its journey full circle.

Transforming this carriage into a library took immense dedication, supported by a range of contractors, experts, and volunteers whose skills and hard work made this project possible.

For our students, the Ivy House Express is more than just a library. It's a sanctuary where stories come alive, imagination thrives, and reading becomes an adventure. This sensory-friendly space provides a calm and engaging environment, making the joy of storytelling accessible to all.

To all who supported, donated, and believed in this project—thank you. You've given our students a ticket to adventure, and we can't wait for you to join us on board soon!

Find out more by watching our video ‘Ivy House Express – A Journey from Start to Finish’ below.

 

Read more about our journey in the media: