OUR IMPACT
“AT The Bus is at the centre of our school and its impact ripples through the school community.”
HEADTEACHER, GREYFRIARS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
THE IMPACT OF OUR WORK
AT The Bus was founded in 2018 and began working with children and young people in 2019. Since then, we have reached around 2000 children and young people, and established ten permanent studios on-site in schools.
In the academic year 2023/4:
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704 children and young people benefitted from AT The Bus provision
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We delivered 141 art-as-therapy group interventions
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We partnered with 11 schools
By the end of the 2024/5 academic year we will have worked with a further 1,000 children and young people.
We are committed to the ongoing evaluation of our programme to track and explore our impact and have a culture of continual reflection and improvement, adapting our practice to deliver the best outcomes for children and young people. We use pre- and post- referral questionnaires, alongside qualitative work with young people through our Student Voice programme, and with teachers and families.
“AT The Bus has provided a platform for our students to explore their creativity and express their emotions through art. This has been instrumental in building their confidence and self-esteem. Students who may struggle with traditional academic tasks find success and recognition in their artistic endeavours, which translates to a more positive self-image."
HEADTEACHER, ST MARYLEBONE BRIDGE SPECIAL SCHOOL, LONDON
Since our inception we have undertaken both qualitative and quantitative research with external partners to understand the impact of our work and identify areas for improvement:
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Quantitative research has shown that AT The Bus sessions in primary schools result in a statistically significant improvement for children with emotional problems, hyperactivity, prosocial behaviour and peer problems. In secondary schools there is a statistically significant improvement in young people’s wellbeing (University of Oxford 2025).
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Qualitative findings from work undertaken in partnership with Bath Spa University and House of Imagination (2022) identified the impact of AT The Bus on: improved attendance; respite and time out of the classroom; advocacy; impacts for the wider school; freedom, expression and independence and partnerships and relationship building.
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Partner evaluations (AllChild 2025) have demonstrated 95% improvement on SDQs (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires), with 71% of children moving from their ‘at risk’ category after a ten-week programme.
Our latest Impact Report will be published here soon. In the meantime please explore the links below for testimonials from schools and students, and case studies.
“You listen to me here. That calms me down. This has definitely made me more confident in school. It's easier to talk in here but I think I can do it in bigger groups in the classroom now."
STUDENT, AT THE BUS
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