By KLTV Newsdesk –

Eight in-house minibuses featuring a pupil-designed livery mark a major step forward in accessible, reliable transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities

Kirklees Council has launched a pilot service featuring eight in-house minibuses designed to improve transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The new fleet transports eligible pupils from their homes to their schools or colleges, ensuring a safe, consistent and familiar journey each day.

Each minibus proudly features a vibrant design created by 13-year-old Roxie Finlay-Martin, a pupil at Royds Hall School.

By introducing its own vehicles, the council is reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable and cost-effective SEND transport, operating alongside existing external providers.

The initiative aims to give children and families more stability, helping to make daily journeys smoother and more enjoyable.

Creative Voices Celebrated

To mark the fleet’s introduction, local pupils were invited to take part in a design challenge to create a bright and positive graphic that reflected their individuality and community spirit.

The competition gave SEND learners the opportunity to contribute to a real-world project, celebrating their creativity and inclusion. Roxie’s winning artwork, which carries the message of unity and belonging, now adorns all eight minibuses currently transporting children across the district.

At a special presentation ceremony at Royds Hall School, Roxie was awarded an art set and a framed photo of her winning design.

“When I started my design, I wanted to show that we are stronger together and celebrate the differences that students may have. I wanted to give everyone who got on the bus a sense of belonging,” said Roxie.

“I couldn’t believe it when I was told I had won. The first time I saw the bus drive by, I thought it looked amazing!”

One of the eight new minibuses with the design from Roxie Finlay-Martin [Image credits: Kirklees Council]

A Step Forward in SEND Support

Cllr Jane Rylah, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “By investing in the new minibus fleet, we can provide more stable routes, consistent drivers and greater peace of mind for families.

“This marks a major step forward in delivering a more reliable, cost-effective and council-run transport service for pupils with additional needs.

“The better the transport service, the more settled our children can feel – and that will support them in achieving the best possible outcomes.”

Cllr Viv Kendrick, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, added: “We’re really excited to see the creativity and talent of our SEND pupils celebrated in such a meaningful way.

“This project is not only a chance for artistic expression, it also promotes inclusivity and showcases the incredible talents of learners to the wider community.

“Roxie’s design is lovely, so I’m delighted to see it brought to life in this way.”

Commitment to Inclusion and Education

Supporting children and young people with SEND remains a key priority for Kirklees Council, which continues to invest heavily in improving local services.

This includes the multi-million-pound rebuild of two special schools and a commitment to monitoring the new transport fleet for reliability and customer satisfaction, with plans to expand in future.

The initiative also aligns with Our Kirklees Futures, the district-wide vision for learning that values people and supports education for all.

The vision aims to ensure that children and learners of every background grow and achieve together, creating a stronger, more inclusive Kirklees.

For more information, visit the Our Kirklees Futures webpage.