An immersive exhibition exploring the controversial 1960s and 1970s policy of ‘bussing out’ non-white children is set to tour six cities across England, following major funding from Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Bussing Out, created by Theatre in the Mill at the University of Bradford, recreates the experience aboard a 1970s bus. The installation uses animation, black and white photography, and audio recordings to bring to life the memories of those affected by the policy. Visitors are taken on an 18-minute journey through Bradford, with the sounds of children talking on their last day of school playing in the background.
The project, written and directed by Dr Shabina Aslam, Artistic Director at Theatre in the Mill, has received £126,928 from Arts Council England and £32,760 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to make the national tour possible.
Image: University of Bradford
“It will be fantastic to take it around the country,” said Dr Aslam. “When people have watched the installation, they are shocked and surprised that something like that could have happened. People are moved, and some of the stories are funny. It started as a passion project for me. It’s nice that it has got a momentum of its own now with a tour.”
What was ‘Bussing Out’?
Between 1965 and 1980, the government’s Education of Immigrant Circular 7/65 policy required that no school should have more than 30 per cent immigrant children on its roll. If the threshold was exceeded, children often from South Asian, West Indian, and African backgrounds were transported to predominantly white schools elsewhere.
The policy affected many families across Britain, including Dr Aslam’s own. At the age of seven, she and her brother were bussed from their local school in Bradford to a suburban special needs department. “It was weird for me to be bussed, and it was alienating,” she said. “Sometimes it was fun, but it was a strange moment in time.”
Touring the Country
Following its debut at the University of Bradford in October 2022, the installation will now travel nationally between November 2025 and March 2027. Stops include Rotherham (November 2025), Halifax (January 2026), Blackburn (February 2026), Luton (April 2026), Southall in West London (summer 2026), and Bristol (January–March 2027).
The bus, seating 10 visitors at a time, will stay at each venue for three to four weeks, accompanied by workshops, talks, and an education programme. Dr Aslam also hopes to collect further testimonies from those who experienced bussing first-hand. With the exception of Rotherham, each location has its own historical connection to the practice.
Image: University of Bradford
After the tour concludes, the bus will be permanently housed at the Bradford Industrial Museum.
Preserving Untold Histories
Helen Featherstone, Director, England North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re delighted to support this tour of Bussing Out thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.
“The story behind the practice of bussing out is still largely untold, and it is an important part of Bradford’s multicultural heritage. We are pleased to fund this project to explore and share the lives and experiences of those affected by it.”
The project also aligns with the University of Bradford’s strategic priorities, promoting inclusive learning, widening access, and transforming lived experiences into immersive storytelling.
