SCHOOL pupils with learning disabilities in Blunsdon had a battered 18-year-old minibus replaced with a colourful coach thanks to housing developers Crest Nicholson and children's charity Variety.

A new Variety Sunshine Coach arrived at Brimble Hill School earlier this week to let pupils travel in style when heading off to extra-curricular activities and days out.

Headteacher Alison Paul said: “The new minibus will be used regularly to take the students to visit new and exciting places to enrich their experiences safely and reliably. It will be used weekly to take the children to swimming, sailing, horse riding and lots of class trips to various parks and places of learning and fun.

“This is the third Variety Sunshine Coach that has been donated to us over the years and we are extremely grateful to Variety each and every time.

"Without transport our pupils would not be able to experience the world around them and even the simplest of outings to the local shops has a great impact on our children's understanding of everyday life. The basics, such as following a shopping list, counting out money and meeting and communicating with new people in the community is very important to our children's education."

Crest Nicholson has worked with the charity Variety for 14 years and this is the 33rd coach that has been donated by the housing developer as part of its ongoing partnership.

Managing director at Crest Nicholson Strategic Projects Andrew Dobson said: "It was great to meet the pupils and staff of Brimble Hill School. Seeing the positive impact of Variety’s work reaffirms our commitment to working with the charity and we look forward to building on the £1.4 million we’ve already donated to Variety since 2005.”

Variety's corporate partnerships manager Danielle Roche said: “We are delighted to donate a new Sunshine Coach and we would like to thank Crest Nicholson for their huge generosity in making this a reality. These coaches help to improve the lives of disabled and disadvantaged young people, ensuring they get the most out of school life by accessing learning and recreational facilities outside the school.”