A free exhibition in Southall exploring the impact of a policy that saw thousands of Black and South Asian children bussed from inner-city schools to suburban schools during the 1960s and 1970s has opened.
Southall is the only London stop on the national tour of Bussing Out, which is running at The Dominion Centre until 27 June 2026.
The bussing policy operated from the 1960s until the late 1970s. It involved children being transported from areas with large Black and Asian populations to schools in predominantly white neighbourhoods. Critics later argued the scheme disrupted education, separated children from their local communities and had a lasting impact on families.
Housed inside a recreated school bus, the installation combines audio-visual storytelling, animation and first-hand testimonies to tell the stories of former pupils affected by the policy.
The project is based on the PhD research of Dr Shabina Aslam, writer and director of Bussing Out.
Dr Aslam said: “When people have experienced the installation, they are shocked and surprised that something like that could have happened. People are moved, but some of the stories are also funny.
“Bussing Out started as a passion project for me so it is wonderful that it has gained a momentum of its own with a national tour.”
The Bussing Out exhibition is open at The Dominion Centre (112 The Green, Southall, UB2 4BQ) until 27 June 2026 from Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday) during the following hours:
- Monday from 9am to 5pm
- Tuesday from 9am to 8pm
- Wednesday from 9am to 5pm
- Thursday from 2pm to 8pm
- Friday from 9am-5pm
- Saturday from 10am to 5pm
