There’s no denying the fact that outdoor learning is extremely beneficial for schools, affecting both pupils and staff positively. However, to truly upgrade your outdoor learning ideas, have you ever considered how much a canopy can help?
Here at A&S Landscape, we have a great selection of school canopies that are ideal for outdoor learning. Not only are they a durable shelter, but they can offer plenty more to the school curriculum than you might think! In this blog, we’ll give you some outdoor learning ideas that are canopy compatible and can give you some more inspiration when it comes to keeping pupils engaged outdoors.
Let’s dive into it…
Why does your school need a canopy?
First things first, let’s explore why you should consider the investment in a bespoke canopy for your school. Much more than just an extension or a roof, there are plenty of reasons your school should invest in a canopy, including:
- Weatherproof learning – Whether it’s scorching sun or pouring rain, a canopy ensures that outdoor activities never have to be cancelled.
- Cost effective extra space – Upgrading your space doesn’t have to come with the cost that an extension might have. A canopy can still create a versatile outdoor learning area at just a fraction of the cost. Some schools even hire out their canopy spaces to generate additional revenue.
- Versatile functionality – Beyond structured lessons, an outdoor canopy can serve multiple purposes throughout the school day. You might need an outdoor dining area to accommodate lots of pupils, or a covered walkway that keeps everyone dry between walking to lessons.
However, above all, they can completely enhance outdoor learning. Ready to find out how? We’ll explain below!
5 innovative outdoor learning ideas: Our experts’ recommendations
1. A relaxing wellbeing zone
Taking a break from the busy classroom environment is essential for pupils. And, there are plenty of studies out there that tell us about the impact of the outdoors on our mental health. Having a dedicated, quiet, outdoor space can give students a place to regulate their emotions, practice mindfulness, or speak to a teacher in private. Incorporate the importance of wellbeing into the space – add comfortable cushions, and you can even play relaxing music that instantly makes pupils feel calm and transported from everyday chaos.
2. An interactive art studio
Art, drama, and music can thrive in an outdoor setting, especially if the weather is on your side! However, without a canopy, creativity can quickly be cancelled. Having a dedicated outdoor space that can be used all year round can inspire students to tune into their creative side and use nature as inspiration.
The A&S canopy effect: Installing a canopy creates a dedicated creative zone where pupils can thrive. To add to the creative edge, choose one of our colourful roof canopies. They can brighten up any space, and are the perfect addition to any outdoor art room.
3. A cosy reading corner
Encouraging a love for reading is something that can be done indoors, but there’s a bit more of a sense of calm and focus when you can bring that outdoors. With one of our canopies, you can bring the love of reading to your own outdoor classroom. In particular, you can create a cosy ‘den’ like area where pupils can concentrate on the story in front of them without any distractions.
The A&S canopy effect: Our shade sails are the perfect companion. They are particularly beneficial on sunny days, creating a cool area of shade that’s perfect for a reading nook. Add comfortable cushions and a small bookshelf to finish it off.
4. Your own school garden
Setting up a school garden, no matter how big or small, is the perfect outdoor learning opportunity. You can focus on things like science, biology, and nutrition, depending on what you want to grow in your garden. Students can learn about the lifecycle of flowers, discover the importance of growing their own produce, and above all, explore a different environment.
The A&S canopy effect: A canopy is the perfect companion for your school garden, as it can keep it in check even if there is a sudden downpour! It acts as a dry, solid cover, especially if you choose something like a timber canopy that offers a natural, wooden look.
5. Solar panel learning
A great outdoor learning exercise is to tell your students about the importance of solar power! And, teaching children about sustainability and climate change is much better when they can see it in action. Incorporate solar energy into the curriculum by planning a lesson that takes place underneath a solar canopy.
The A&S canopy effect: You can find solar PV canopies that are great for this activity. They keep pupils protected from harsh sun rays while generating clean energy for your school. And, students can pay close attention to the canopy’s design and innovative features.
See them in action! Here’s how one school makes the most of their outdoor canopy…
Southville Primary School, in the heart of Bristol, is known for its friendly, calming environment, and wanted to improve their outdoor space to reflect this. With Bristol’s ever-changing weather, they needed a solution that offered great shelter, as well as accommodating busy pupils.
The solution: We worked closely with the school to come up with a great solution, and we landed on our Motiva Linear™ canopy! Its straight roof design meant it blended seamlessly with the school’s existing architecture, and we finished it off in our Duracoat™ colour system, ensuring longevity.
This canopy now provides the school with a safe, enclosed area that is perfect for outdoor learning and sheltering outdoor equipment. It’s a bright, open, space that’s great for any of the ideas we’ve recommended above.
Read the full case study here.
Enjoy outdoor learning with the help of A&S Landscape
And there you have it… 5 outdoor learning ideas you can replicate in your school. Bringing your classroom outdoors doesn’t just give it a change of scenery, but it can completely transform the learning experience for kids! Remember, with the right canopy, you can create an immersive and safe space that can be used for a variety of activities, all year round.
At A&S Landscape, we’ve been helping schools maximise their outdoor potential for over 50 years. So, if you’ve got your eye on one of our designs or know that your school will benefit from one of our canopies, you can relax knowing that our team is here to guide you through the process.
Get in touch with our experts today for your free consultation!
