Montacute School Diner
Montacute School is a very special place of learning, fun, adventure and friendship.
Montacute School educates children with severe, complex or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Some have additional sensory impairment, physical difficulties or medical needs, and others are identified as being within the autistic spectrum.
Accommodating such a wide range of pupils with varying needs is no mean feat. But, the team are passionate about giving pupils many opportunities to thrive.
The physical learning environment plays a part too. And, as pupils spend a large proportion of their time at school, the team at Montacute School had a novel idea about how to support pupils…a bespoke Wall Art project for the school canteen.
Beautiful escapism
This is no ordinary school canteen. The teaching team gave students the choice about what they wanted their canteen to look like. Pupils wanted somewhere fun – a place that felt completely different to school. Teachers were also keen to incorporate elements from nature to bring the benefits of the outdoors inside.
The school decided on an American style school diner. In traditional red and white colours, we created bespoke Wall Art to give the canteen an immersive feeling. It needed to feel like stepping into a totally different world. We also incorporated nature scenes as per the brief. And the school complemented their Wall Art with diner style booths and red striped covers.
Sensory-friendly design
For SEND pupils, the environment around them can have just as much impact as the teaching itself. Lighting, noise, layout, colour and visual clarity all influence how safe, regulated and confident a child feels during the day.
We needed to strike a balance in this design so pupils would feel interested, but no overwhelmed. We spaced out images so the overall effect wouldn’t be overstimulating for pupils. And, integrating nature scenes creates a calm feeling, which is the perfect balance to the fun, diner theme.
Immersive space
This project is an example of how powerful immersive design can be. Using the existing wall space, we transformed the canteen into another world – far away from the stresses of the school day. This is the perfect space for pupils to relax, enjoy their lunch and spend time together.
Giving students ownership over the design was a smart move by the team at Montacute School. Pupils will feel proud to see the space that they co-created – feeling a sense of belonging when they spend time there. It’s something to be proud of – and a legacy the current cohort of students can leave for future generations.
We tried to make the designs feel as realistic as possible. So it gives that immersive feeling to fuel pupils’ imaginations, spark curiosity and encourage creative thinking. The Wall Art offers visual interest to the space, which can stimulate conversations too. This is important for building vocabulary.
Wall Art for SEND schools
It’s important that all schools feel welcoming and inclusive. And this is even more vital for SEND schools.
Wall Art can help signal that this is a safe space, where everyone belongs. It can help create calm areas where pupils can regulate and rest. And it can support SEND pupils with key requirements like wayfinding. Strong visual cues make navigation far easier, such as colour-coded zones, subject-specific graphics and clear labelling or naming of areas.
It’s clear to pupils that this is their space – the diner is for everyone and it’s an area where fun is encouraged! The designs communicate this, at a glance.
Our process
We have designed many Wall Art projects for SEND schools like Montacute School. So we have a good understanding of how to create balanced designs that meet the needs of all pupils.
Gentle colours, nature-inspired themes and uncluttered compositions help lower stress levels and create a softer atmosphere. Instead of demanding attention, these designs soothe it.
Our design team is in-house and highly experienced. They can take any brief and turn the vision into beautiful, intentional and purpose-led designs. Our service includes print and installation too. And we offer consultative support throughout each project.
We’d love to hear about your school improvement goals, and discuss how Wall Art can help you achieve them. Contact us to book a free and no obligation consultation.
