Welcome to our December Newsletter
- amy50187
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
“AT The Bus helps me to come into school. I feel less anxious now and I want to come. It helps me to feel more relaxed and I want to be here.”
Student, AT The Bus
Thank you Maggie, a note from Juli
Maggie Scott, joint CEO, is leaving AT The Bus at the end of December. I met Maggie during covid in my garden with the hope that she might help bring some structure to this tiny charity. She offered a day’s consultancy which we took up without thinking. We were fortunate enough to have been awarded funding from The Prudence Trust for her to create a Business plan. She really understood what we needed in order to ensure we were in a good place to grow. She drew a graph showing where we should be in three years. We smiled and thought ‘in our dreams’ but with Maggie’s vision, clarity and excellence we did it. We have moved from one school to 15 and tripled our income. We now see over 1,000 children a year.
It has been an honour and a privilege to work with Maggie and although we all are sad that she is moving on, she is leaving the charity in a very good place.
Her involvement was meant to have been for a year but she stayed for nearly five. We will miss her enormously. The Trustees and I wish her all the very best in the future.
Thank you Maggie
Juli and the Board of Trustees
Welcome Sarah Rose
The Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that after a thorough recruitment process Sarah Rose will be joining AT The Bus as co-CEO in late January 2026. Sarah will be working alongside Juli to lead AT The Bus through its next phase of development.
Sarah has a strong background in the voluntary sector having worked for Oxfam, Save the Children International, NSPCC and Action for Children. Most recently she has been working as a strategy and leadership consultant with charities, foundations and NGOs. Sarah impressed the panel with her professional knowledge and values-driven approach which they are confident will be an excellent fit for AT The Bus.
We look forward to introducing Sarah more fully in the new year.
As ever, it has been a busy term for AT The Bus. In November we celebrated our sixth year anniversary, generously hosted by AT The Bus patron Emma Ward at the beautiful Ward Moretti Gallery in London, where we premiered our short film and launched our 2024/5 impact report.
We hear from schools every day about the great need for our work. 1 in 5 children & young people are struggling with their mental health (NHS 2024) and 74 per cent of teachers believe that poor mental health is negatively impacting their pupils’ ability to learn (Young Minds UK). Early intervention is vital to prevent needs escalating.
“We know that AT The Bus really works with our students because we see the results in the lessons. We believe firmly that when children feel safe and happy they’re able to take the work that happened with AT The Bus out into the classroom and they can learn and they can thrive.”
Shontelle Magenty, Deputy Head Teacher The Cherwell School
By the end of the 2025/6 academic year we expect to have worked in 17 schools in Oxfordshire and London, reaching over 1000 children and young people, more than ever before. We are grateful to all those who have supported us in so many different ways this year, from attending our events, to spreading the word of our work, to donating time, money or resources - it all makes an enormous difference.
Wow! This feels really relaxing… do you have magic paint here?”
Student, AT The Bus
New studio: Matthew Arnold Secondary School
We are delighted to have established a new studio at Matthew
Arnold Secondary School in Oxford.
this term. This new partnership came about after the school approached AT The Bus as several members of the senior leadership team had previously seen the positive impact on the young people in other schools.
Since September 2025 the AT The Bus team has been supporting regular weekly groups of children from Years 7 - 11 over two days, and were involved in supporting pupils with their transition to secondary school, having delivered a taster session to Year 6 pupils ahead of their moving on to Year 7.
Projects worked on this term have included exploring identity with self portrait clocks, and a project inspired by the life and work of Frida Kahlo - transforming wooden bowls, aprons, canvases and pillow cases into vibrant works of art. Some students have even been working on a 3D Frida (pictured). This project has really sparked imagination and conversation, particularly around difference and overcoming adversity.
The older students who have been attending have valued the opportunity to take a break from exam pressure and have welcomed the calm space to connect with students from other classes.
We look forward to building on this positive start to the partnership in the new year.
Golden Swan artist-in-residence project at The Cherwell School
Students at The Cherwell School in Oxford had the unique opportunity this term to work with sculptor Eliza Higginbottom from the talented partnership Yunus and Eliza on a gilding project, part of our new partnership with The Goldsmith’s Foundation from whom we were generously awarded a £50,000 grant to extend our reach as part of their inaugural grant programme earlier this year.
Eliza is a former Cherwell student and long-term supporter of AT The Bus, as well as a Liverywoman of The Goldsmiths’ Company, so this project was of particular significance to her. The golden swan was chosen as it is the school logo and emblem of the Cherwell river. Guided by Eliza and the AT The Bus team, students worked in small groups to gild large swans laser cut from plywood, painting a background inspired by Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’. The students were excited and inspired by the opportunity to learn how to gild, enjoying the opportunity to work with gold, and it provided the chance to work collaboratively, share their ideas and paint together.
The finished artworks will be displayed permanently in the school, a reminder of their success and a project for the students to feel proud of.
“AT The Bus has been a wonderful addition to our school community. It has not only improved attendance and engagement among our pupils, but also created a space where confidence, connection and friendships can flourish. The sessions have given children a safe and creative way to express themselves, helping them manage emotions and build resilience. Parents have noticed the difference too – their children come home happier, more settled, and excited about learning. It’s been a truly transformative experience for everyone involved."
Headteacher, New Marston Primary School
Fundraising, Events and Other News
Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025
A huge thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge, helping us to beat our target and raise an incredible £25,690 including gift aid. This will support more children & young people to learn and achieve through art in 2026.
Thank you to Chandlings Prep
Pupils from Chandlings Prep School in Oxford have selected AT The Bus to be their chosen charity this academic year. We are so grateful for all of their efforts and ideas and are looking forward to continuing to work alongside the school to raise vital funds for our work.
Columbia Threadneedle family workshops
A team from AT The Bus are looking forward to running a festive art workshop for our supporter Columbia Threadneedle staff and their families in London later this week.
Interested in getting involved in 2026?
If you are an individual or an organisation interested in supporting AT The Bus with fundraising or events in 2026 we would be delighted to hear from you. Please email fundriasing@atthebus.org.uk and we will be in touch.
Coming up in 2026
In January we have a delightful afternoon of music at the Charlbury Memorial Hall in aid of AT The Bus on Sunday 25th January at 3pm. Click here for tickets and more information.
In May we will be taking part in the Blenheim fun run again and are looking for runners to join our team. More details to follow.
Season’s Greetings from AT The Bus
Thanks to all of you for your interest and support. Wishing you all the best for the festive season.
Juli and Maggie, Joint-CEOs