Croydon buses that carry children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have been fitted with tablets playing learning materials to improve their trip to school.

This idea has come from Daniel Robinson, operations supervisor in Croydon Council’s independent travel team, after speaking with one of the drivers about making journeys easier for the children.

Daniel worked hard on an application for an allocation from Section 106 money, which comes from developers working with the council.

The panel liked his idea and approved the bid for the screens.

The screens have now been fitted to 20 buses and will play educational videos on numbers and the alphabet as well as Makaton, a language program using signs, symbols and speech to help with communication.

The rollout came after a pilot last term found that they improved the journey to and from school, and feedback received from parents said they believed them to be beneficial.

Croydon Council operates 20 SEND buses to five SEND schools.

With bus journeys lasting up to two hours, the screens are intended to settle passengers, which positively impacts their learning experience and improves behaviour during the day.

Daniel said: “I’m passionate about making journeys for children with special educational needs and disabilities better.

“After speaking to one of the drivers, I came up with the idea of putting in screens playing content that benefits their education and makes their journey calmer.

“I am really glad they have been installed and that they appear to be making life a bit better on the journey to school for the children.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor for Croydon, said: “This is a great project that makes a real difference to journeys to and from our SEND schools in the borough.

“I am really glad to see that the pilot had results and look forward to hearing more feedback soon on the rollout.”