Step Through the Wardrobe: Our New Creative Arts Suite

Earlier this year, we shared a sneak peek at the work taking place on our new Creative Arts Suite. Now it is finished, the children are in, and their reaction has been exactly what we hoped for.

The project started because we needed more space for Nursery and Preschool. That meant moving the existing music and creative room, and instead of simply recreating it somewhere else, we saw an opportunity.

An underused storage room within part of the enormous attic had far more potential than it first appeared. And once the false ceiling came down, the space opened up completely. The height, exposed beams, and circular porthole window gave the room real character, and from that point we knew we could create something very unique.

Step through the wardrobe

The experience starts at the entrance.

Children walk through a pair of vintage wardrobe doors and into a room designed to feel like another world (think The Chronicles of Narnia!). Inside are exposed beams, circular windows, a fireplace, guitars on the walls, a piano, umbrella lighting, books, maps, unusual objects, a beanbag area, art tables, storage and a giant smart screen.

It is practical, but it definitely does not feel ordinary!

The room also became the home of Professor Montague Mount, artist, occasional musician and the character behind the space (more to come on the Professor - all part of our 75th anniversary additions). His study, books, clothes, maps, pictures and possessions are dotted around the room, giving children more to notice and discover every time they visit.

This is a place for artists, musicians, performers and dreamers, where ideas can become anything.

The reaction was perfect!

When we finally opened the doors at the end of September, the children were absolutely blown away.

You could see the wow on their faces straight away. They were looking everywhere, pointing things out, exploring the room and taking in all the little details.

That sense of awe, wonder and amazement was exactly what we wanted.

We want children at The Mount to walk into spaces that make them curious. We want them to create, make, play, perform, explore and discover what they enjoy. The Creative Arts Suite gives them another place to do exactly that.

For us, that is what making childhood unforgettable looks like in practice.

Come and see it for yourself

The photos show the transformation, but the room is much better experienced in person.

If you are joining us for our Open Day on Saturday 10 October, from 10am to 12pm, you can step through the wardrobe, explore Professor Montague Mount’s world and see the Creative Arts Suite for yourself.

We would love to show you around.