Hanwell Special School Raising Funds for Minibus

Launches appeal for accessible vehicle for pupils with complex needs

St Ann’s School in Green Lane

April 30, 2026

A Hanwell charity is calling on the local community to help fund an accessible school minibus that would allow pupils with complex special educational needs to take part in essential learning and life-skills activities beyond the classroom.

St Ann’s Foundation, which supports St Ann’s School in Green Lane, has launched the appeal to replace the school’s ageing transport and ensure students can continue accessing community-based education — from local outings to practical sessions that build independence, confidence and social understanding.

For many pupils at St Ann’s, who have a wide range of profound and multiple learning needs, community access is not an optional extra but a core part of their education. The school uses local environments to teach everyday skills such as shopping, travel awareness, communication and interaction with unfamiliar settings. Without a reliable accessible vehicle, staff say these opportunities become limited or impossible.

Lexy, Chair of St Ann’s Foundation, said specialist schools often face a unique challenge when it comes to fundraising. “Special schools are often at a disadvantage,” she explained. “We’re smaller schools, so fundraising events naturally reach fewer people, but the equipment and resources our young people need often cost significantly more. A fundraiser in a mainstream setting may raise far more through sheer scale, while special schools can be working just as hard, often with greater need.”

She emphasised that the appeal is not about providing extras or luxuries. “For many of our students, community access and life-skills learning are a crucial part of education. A new minibus would help make that possible.”

The charity hopes that raising awareness locally will help bridge the gap and allow the school to purchase a vehicle that meets pupils’ accessibility needs, including wheelchair access and specialist safety equipment.

Residents who wish to support the appeal can donate via the St Ann’s Foundation fundraising page or contact charity@stannsschool.co.uk for other ways to contribute.

The Foundation says any support — from donations to simply sharing the appeal — will help ensure that some of Hanwell’s most vulnerable young people can continue learning, exploring and taking part in their community.