Students and teachers at Melksham House School were ‘energised, engaged, and inspired’ following a visit from education charity I Can & I Am.
The charity spent two days with pupils at the Melksham-based school, which opened in September 2025 and supports students with internalised social, emotional or mental health needs. In total, 25 pupils and supporting staff took part in small-group sessions aboard the charity’s distinctive double-decker buses.
Each session began with pupils cooking pizza together downstairs to build confidence and connection, before heading upstairs for workshops designed to develop resilience and self-belief.
Darren John, Assistant Headteacher at Melksham House School, said, “The buzz across the whole school was truly amazing during I Can & I Am’s visit. Both pupils and staff were energised, engaged, and inspired.
“The team’s sessions were pitched perfectly to meet the individual needs of our students, including those with a range of special educational needs and challenges linked to emotionally based school avoidance. The activities were exceptionally well planned and delivered.
“What stood out most was the care, connection, and sense of safety each member of the I Can & I Am team created for our young people. Every student who stepped onto their bus felt valued and supported.
“For us, as a new school, that is a huge achievement and fully aligns with our ethos of ‘no barriers, only potential’. Building trust with children and young people so they feel safe to engage and learn is at the core of what we do and we are very grateful to the team who made such a meaningful impact in a short space of time. We look forward to future visits from them.”
John, who had previously worked with the charity at another school, was keen to bring them in soon after joining the new specialist setting.
Founded in 2015 by former teacher and inspirational speaker James Shone, the charity was created after he lost his sight due to a brain tumour in 2012.
Today, I Can & I Am works with thousands of young people each year, visiting primary, secondary, independent and SEND schools across the South of England. Its workshops are delivered on two travelling double-decker buses, with a third currently being refurbished to meet growing demand.
Rebecca Burton, CEO of I Can & I Am, said, “It was a very rewarding experience to work with the teachers and incredible young people at Melksham House School. We adapt the sessions depending on each class and individual and how they are that day, and the team know what is needed almost instinctively.
“Magic happens very quickly on the bus. There is something very special about the expert team and the environment they create. We see time and again how young participants share and achieve things they didn’t think they were capable of, and it is always wonderful for us and school staff to witness.”
