The Bluston Charitable Trust donated the funds for a 17-seater Sunshine Coach when trustees Martin Paisner, Daniel Dover, and Anna Josse attended the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards in late 2022. The awards ceremony celebrated showbusiness stars including Katherine Jenkins OBE, Simon Cowell, and Naomi Campbell, while also commemorating 100 years of the BBC.

Elm Tree Primary Academy received their brand new coach at a presentation on Monday 27th November. They were joined by a representative from Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Elm Tree Primary Academy, part of the Victoria Academies Trust family, caters to autistic children aged 5-11 years who have additional learning needs. The school’s physical space takes into careful consideration the sensory needs of the children, allowing for break out and therapy spaces.

The school provides a total communication environment where verbal language, gesture and sign, body language, visuals, symbols, objects and sounds are used and understood.

Elm Tree Primary Academy’s new Sunshine Coach will allow their pupils to continue learning outside the classroom as they explore their local area and develop their skills, experiences, and confidence. The school looks forward to their first trip, which will be to The Albion Foundation Sports Festival. Beth Barnsley, Headteacher of Elm Tree Primary Academy, said:

We are very excited to receive our first mini bus at Elm Tree Primary Academy. The bus will enable us to provide inclusive experiences within the local community, ensuring our children are both inspired and empowered to be the best they can be.