A PRIMARY school in Kidderminster will be able to take whole classes of children on trips for the first time after being given a new minibus.

St Mary's Primary School, which caters for 226 children from one of the most deprived areas of Kidderminster, was handed the keys to a Variety children's charity 'Sunshine Coach' during a presentation on Thursday, March 14.

Headteacher Sarah Perrett said: "We are thrilled to receive a new Variety Sunshine Coach and we would like to say a wholehearted thank you to Variety and DPD for making this a reality.

"As it will be an addition to our current minibus, it will enable the school to take whole classes rather than small groups on trips which will enhance their learning.”

Staff, parents and local businesses contributed to the cost of the coach through various fundraising events.

The new 17-seater will be used to transport pupils to weekly swim sessions and multi-school sports events.

Frances Lang, chief executive of Variety, said: "These coaches, often regarded as mobile classrooms, give pupils with additional needs the opportunity to experience active learning and develop life skills outside of the school environment.

"We are extremely grateful to DPD for helping to fund the Variety Sunshine Coach of St Mary’s Primary School."

DPD CEO Dwain McDonald added: “We continue to support Variety year after year because of the fantastic work they do and because it remains a hugely popular cause with our whole team.

"These coaches make a world of difference and it gives us enormous pleasure to handover the keys to St Mary’s Primary School.”