» St Thomas Chequerbent CE Primary School fundraises for sensory bus

St Thomas Chequerbent CE Primary School in Westhoughton received the old bus three years ago, which was initially intended to be used as a creative space for children to enjoy the outdoors.

Parents are raising money to convert the disused bus into a sensory space for pupils. (Image: Laura Harrison) However, the bus has since sank into the school grounds and will need repurposing so that it can be fit for children to use.

A group of parents who run the coffee mornings at the school are now raising funds so that the bus can be made into a special ‘sensory bus’ for children.

A link to the fundraiser can be found here.

Speaking to The Bolton News Laura Harrison, a parent at the school who set up the fundraiser, said: “When the school got the bus about three years ago, there was a lot of talk about what could be done with it.

A fundraiser has been launched to pay for the bus renovations. (Image: Laura Harrison) “Since then, the parents from the SEND coffee mornings have grouped together and decided that the bus would make an amazing sensory space for children with fidget toys, lights and special equipment for children.

Parents at the school have grouped together to raise money for the sensory bus. (Image: Laura Harrison)

Laura, who is from Westhoughton, added: “My youngest son, Albie, who is seven was recently diagnosed with autism. The school have been amazing at accommodating him and helping both him and our family to navigate his needs and behaviours.

“It’s the same with other parents, we want to help in a way that feels like we’re giving something back to the school.

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“We’ve had parents get involved, one grandad helped pull out the bus as it had sunk into the ground, another pupil’s dad, who is an electrician is going to see about getting the electric set up in there. So it’s all very exciting.”

Parents at the school have pooled together to raise money for bus renovations. (Image: Laura Harrison) The fundraiser for the sensory bus currently sits at £1,539 of the £3,000 goal.

The bus has been stripped back and is currently awaiting to be re-panelled and have new flooring put in.

Headteacher Gina Linney said: “The sensory bus is the brainchild of one of our parents who has a child with autism and is a great advocate.

The bus has been stripped and is ready for new panelling. (Image: Laura Harrison) “The bus was given to school, before I became a head, and it was originally to be used as a creative space to enjoy the outdoors. It started to sink, it is damp, and as a full class wouldn’t fit in, we thought we needed to repurpose it to get the best use for our children and school community.

“We are seeing more children with sensory needs and a parent, Lucy, suggested a sensory room and we thought it was a great idea. As we lack space the bus was a natural solution.

 “It has no electricity and has sunk so needs quite a bit of work. Our parents are wonderful, and it was at an autism awareness coffee morning that I mentioned that we had some parents offering to work for free, (an electrician and a ground worker) we just needed to buy the materials, but it was a struggle to raise the money.

“As I was explaining this to the group of parents, Laura, set up a funding page and this has meant that we can now go ahead with the groundwork and continue to raise funds for the interior, furniture, equipment etc.

“We are hoping to have a sensory garden and woodland area alongside the bus. We think that this will be a great asset not only to school but also the community. 

“We will be able to use the space for baby groups, toddler sessions and also maybe a meeting point for parents to support each other, as well as to support our pupils. The possibilities are endless.

“I am so proud of our parents who not only advocate for their wonderful children but are active in supporting us to make changes and work together to improve outcomes for all our children.”