Haringey minibus appeal backs deaf pupils’ trips

By Hiyastar Newsroom

Published 10 June 2026

A special school in Haringey is seeking donations for a new minibus so deaf pupils can continue taking part in trips, swimming lessons, sports events and activities that are difficult to access by public transport.

Blanche Nevile Primary School for Deaf Children, based on Storey Road in Highgate, has launched a JustGiving appeal with a £10,000 target. The money will go towards the expected £36,000 cost of replacing the school’s current minibus, which has been in use for 18 years and is nearing the end of its working life.

Minibus access for deaf pupils in Highgate

The school says the minibus is used several times a week and is central to how pupils take part in learning and social activities beyond the classroom.

Kathryn McCarthy, co-headteacher at Blanche Nevile School, said public transport can create communication barriers for deaf children. She said the minibus is often the only practical way pupils can attend trips, especially when journeys are longer or when pupils need to return in time for local authority-provided transport home.

Many pupils travel significant distances to attend the specialist school. That makes timing a practical issue as well as an accessibility concern: if a trip returns late, some children risk missing the transport they rely on to get home.

Trips, sports and cultural visits at risk

The minibus supports a wide range of school activities, from weekly swimming lessons to visits across London and beyond.

The school said pupils use it for sports competitions, including the London Youth Games and events for young deaf people or those with disabilities. It is also used for educational visits to galleries, Kew Gardens, the Science Museum, the Tower of London and places of worship.

Residential trips are another part of the programme. The school describes them as a way for pupils to build independence, spend time away from home and school, and explore new places with support from staff.

The vehicle also helps pupils meet other deaf peers and deaf role models. Other trips include bowling, ice skating, cinema visits, theatre outings and seaside visits.

School community links between sites

Blanche Nevile also uses the minibus to move pupils between its primary and secondary sites for events and celebrations involving the wider school community.

For a specialist school, those journeys are not simply logistical. They help pupils join shared activities with classmates and staff across age groups, and they support the social side of school life for children who may not have the same easy access to deaf peers in their local neighbourhoods.

McCarthy said many pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds, making school-organised transport especially important for access to enrichment activities.

How the appeal will be used

The JustGiving appeal aims to raise £10,000 towards the new vehicle. The full expected cost is £36,000, according to the school.

All donations to the appeal will go towards the replacement minibus. The school says the current vehicle has served pupils for 18 years and now needs to be replaced so activities can continue without disruption.

McCarthy said: “Without a school minibus, we would be unable to offer these enriching experiences as part of our pupils’ education and cultural capital.”

Source: Haringey Council