Welcome to our Spring Term Newsletter
- Apr 20
- 5 min read
“Coming to AT The Bus today made me feel powerful and strong.”
Student, AT The Bus
The work taking place taking place in our studios this term has been inspirational. Children with complex needs are engaging with artists such as Frida Kahlo and Vincent Van Gogh, and exploring identity through projects such as self-portrait clocks.
Painted palette inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night
We heard recently from one of our schools that AT The Bus and its methodology has been able to support every child referred, with enormous benefits for their wellbeing and inclusion:
“In a community where deprivation is well above the national average, AT The Bus provides a unique, non-clinical sanctuary that allows our most vulnerable learners to recalibrate and apply the coping skills, self regulation and resilience they've learned beyond the studio, into the classroom and their day-to-day life.
This provision has become a key part of our graduated approach to inclusion. By fostering emotional resilience and a sense of belonging, AT The Bus directly supports our recent successes in reducing suspensions by 75 per cent and improving attendance across all groups.”
Nora Ward, Headteacher, The Oxford Academy
It has been a busy term and we have worked with over 300 children across 14 schools. We delivered a session for the Oxford University Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team, and are now working with them on a school-based programme. We also delivered teacher training and the feedback has been excellent - more on that below.
With the Easter holidays nearly upon us, we wanted to highlight that our website has many creative resources available to download at no cost. If a child or young person in your life creates an artwork using one of our worksheets, we would love to see it - you can send it to comms@atthebus.org.uk or post and tag us on Instagram.
Thank you to those of you who generously supported our Big Give Arts for Impact campaign. We raised an incredible £15,660, exceeding our target of £15,000. All funds raised will go directly to supporting more children and young people to access our programmes.
Frida Kahlo-inspired portrait on a recycled vinyl
News from our studios
In London, we were approached by the Head of School at St Marylebone CE Bridge School to offer some training to the team there. Our London Area Lead Rhea ran the session with the aim of giving an insight into the work we do including a creative activity which meant staff could experience our methodology first-hand. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with one staff member saying it was the first time in the day that she felt able to “let out a breath”, echoing a similar sentiment we have heard from children and young people who attend AT The Bus. Another told us it had helped her to de-stress.
Following the success of the workshop, we expect to run more, with the aim of strengthening our school partnerships, supporting staff wellbeing and professional development, and educating wider audiences about our work.
Rhea leading the session at St Marylebone Bridge School
Following the success of the workshop, we expect to run more, with the aim of strengthening our school partnerships, supporting staff wellbeing and professional development, and educating wider audiences about our work.
Meanwhile, an exciting project has been underway for the students and their families at The Oxford Academy. AT The Bus worked with students from St Clare’s School and with their teacher and artist Francesca Shakespeare to design and run two weekend workshops for students and families from The Oxford Academy. The creative focus of the workshops was a large-scale tree artwork that students, friends and family from the school community contributed to, and will be permanently displayed on a stairwell at the school as a lasting reminder of the project. A huge thank you to the wonderful students at St Clare’s, and to Francesca, for making this project possible.
Rhea leading the session at St Marylebone Bridge School
Finally, students at New Marston Primary School have taken part in a project with OX Place, the housing company of Oxford City Council. More than 30 pupils from across the school created self portrait clocks with AT The Bus which will be printed onto hoarding for a building site off Westlands Drive in Marston. This is a prime location near the local shops, so the artwork will be on display for the whole community to enjoy. Below is a preview of the wonderful artworks created by the children. Follow us on Instagram for more on this project as the hoarding is unveiled.
St Marylebone Self-portrait clocks at New Marston Primary School
“AT The Bus gives me the feeling of ‘keep going, you can do it’
- the feeling I can do things."
AT The Bus Student
Fundraising and Events
Charlbury Cello and Piano Recital in aid of AT The Bus
Join us for another delightful afternoon of music at the Charlbury War Memorial Hall on Sunday 26th April in aid of AT The Bus. The programme will include J. S. Bach: Cello Suite no. 1 in G major followed by folk song settings for cello and piano, performed by Jeremy Capey on cello and Anne Willie on piano.
For more information and to buy tickets visit our website.
Blenheim Fun Run
Please join our team taking part or support us at our annual Family Fun Run on 17th May 2026! The event takes place in the beautiful grounds of Blenheim Palace and raises vital funds for AT The Bus.
If you don't want to take part but would like to come and support someone, we will have a stand with art activities for children and would love to see you. Supporters of the AT The Bus team can enter the grounds for free.
To find out more and secure your place, please visit the Blenheim FunRun website or get in touch with us at events@atthebus.org.uk. Early bird tickets are still available.
Recent articles from our partners
Over the past few months we were delighted to have featured in articles from two of our funding partners following visits to our studios. These are linked below:
Interested in getting involved?
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 fundraising@atthebus.org.uk and we will be in touch.
