Playground Canopies & Shade for Schools

Make playtimes exciting while protecting pupils from the elements with a playground shelter for schools from A&S Landscape. Our high-quality and aesthetically pleasing canopies offer vital shade from the sun and rain, ensuring students can play outside all year round!

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School Playground Canopies That You Can Rely On 

If you’re looking to add a shaded area in a primary school or a nursery, you’ve come to the right place! At A&S Landscape, we concentrate on quality and durability, using materials and construction methods that follow very strict standards to ensure the longevity of a playground canopy. 

School playgrounds are bustling hubs of activity and a place for pupils to learn, play, and express themselves. According to studies, 92% of pupils claim to prefer learning outdoors, with 90% reporting it makes them feel happier and healthier. With this in mind, our playground canopies are designed to provide consistent protection, allowing pupils to make the most of their outdoor space, every day. 

From one of our playground shade canopies, you can expect: 

  • Bespoke solutions – Our expert design team will craft customised canopies that can fit your school colours and a specific design criteria.

  • Adaptable installation processes – Your needs are our top priority! Our installation team work around the school day and are incredibly efficient to complete projects on time.

  • Effective protection – We use the highest grade of materials, enabling children to be protected from the elements all year round.
  • Aesthetic design – We help you to create a fun and exciting looking outdoor area, making break times fun and inspiring.

  • Durable construction – Our outdoor school shelters are made to last. Each canopy will withstand rough play and harsh weather conditions. 

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Deputy Principal of Blackpool Aspire Academy

I am very pleased with the canopy, it has exceeded my expectations. The project has been fantastic.

Deputy Principal,
Blackpool Aspire Academy
amy storer

Without doubt I would recommend A&S Landscape to other schools.

headteacher,
Zaytouna Primary School
Premises manager of Haileybury College

A&S Landscape was clearly the company to go with. They were accommodating and worked very well with us.

Premises Manager,
Haileybury College

Discover How We’ve Transformed UK Schools

Types of Playground Canopies for Schools and Nurseries

We have a comprehensive range of tensile fabric canopies, shade sails, straight-roof canopies and bespoke options to choose from. By discussing your goals and vision with our team, we can talk through your options in helping you pick the perfect solution for your school building.

Windsford Primary School Shade Sails

Shade Sails

Our shade sails are a great choice for injecting unique shapes and aesthetic appeal into your playground. One of the most popular playground canopy choices, they come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, whilst offering sufficient shade from harsh sun rays or cold weather. Providing excellent UV protection, they are also incredibly durable, thanks to their strong and waterproof PVC fabrics.

umbrella canopy

Umbrella Canopies

An umbrella canopy from A&S Landscape adds the perfect amount of shade and protection to any playground. Versatile, safe, and effective, they’re a practical option no matter the weather. They’re available in a variety of sizes and can be used to cover one or several pieces of playground equipment. Because of their compact design, they’re ideal for nurseries or buildings with smaller playground areas.

Retractable Roof Canopy at Kingsmead School

Retractable Canopies

A retractable canopy is a versatile option for all types of buildings and playgrounds. As you’d imagine, they can be extended when it best suits, ensuring complete protection in harsh weather and allowing pupils to enjoy the sunshine during sunnier months. Typically made from steel fabric structures, they can be customised to fit various sizes and shapes of school playground equipment. They also provide excellent UV protection and are highly durable, making them a popular choice for playgrounds.

Timber frame shelter

Wooden Playground Canopies

In addition to our wide range of steel and polycarbonate canopies, we also offer timber frame alternatives. Timber canopies are a popular choice amongst primary schools due to their aesthetic appeal. They make ideal playground covers and outdoor classrooms, as they can provide excellent weather protection. Typically, wooden playground canopies will still feature a polycarbonate roofing system so that the structure still provides essential UV protection as well as cover from the rain!

What are the Benefits of Playground Shade Canopies? 

Playgrounds are some of the most influential and important spaces that children and young people spend time in – they can interact with their peers, jump and explore, and participate in imaginative play. A playground canopy allows kids to get outside, even with the unpredictable Great British weather! Revamp your outdoor space and discover the incredible benefits of playground shelters, including:

 

Happy,Kids,At,Elementary,School

Enhanced Safety and Comfort 

  • A playground canopy provides and sheltered space for children to play, even during those cold winter months.
  • They offer protection from rain, snow, and excessive heat, resulting in a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
  • A canopy can reduce the risk of slips and falls, allowing children to confidently explore and engage in activities within the sheltered area.
Teacher and pupil completing mural

Utilised Teaching Spaces

  • A playground canopy extends the usable teaching space, encouraging outdoor learning.
  •  Teachers can hold lessons, group activities, and discussions in an open-air environment, fostering an engaging learning experience.
  • Outdoor learning promotes creativity and exploration, two important skills for children to adopt.
primary school playground shelter

Year-Round Outdoor Use:

  • By installing a playground canopy, your outdoor space becomes accessible throughout the year, including the winter months.
  • Children can continue to benefit from fresh air and outdoor play, even when temperatures drop or during light rain.
  • The covered area can be utilised for various activities, such as physical education, science experiments, and art lessons.
Kids,Playing,In,The,Park

Protection From Harmful UV Rays 

  • Playground canopies provide essential UV protection, shielding children from harmful sun rays during the spring and summer months.
  • This allows pupils to use and play in the playground despite the warmer weather. A canopy ensures the well-being of students while they engage in outdoor activities, reducing the risk of sunburn and long-term sun damage 
students eating outside under canopy

Creating Outdoor Dining Areas:

  • Canopies can also serve as outdoor dining areas, providing shaded spaces for students to enjoy their meals.
  • By offering a designated alfresco dining space, schools encourage healthier eating habits and promote social interaction in a refreshing outdoor setting.
  • Pupils can experience the benefits of dining in the open air, fostering a positive and enjoyable lunchtime experience.

Not Found a School Playground Canopy That Meets Your Needs? Design Your Own! 

The design process of your playground shelter is an essential part of our journey with you. Did you know that at A&S Landscape, we offer a bespoke canopy service? This process means that we pay the utmost attention to your brief, your wants, and most importantly, what will benefit your staff and pupils the most. 

Our playground canopies come in a wide range of colours and patterns, giving you the opportunity to choose a design that suits your preferences and requirements. A brightly coloured playground is one of our most popular choices due to its captivating and fun design, appealing to children and promoting an exciting outdoor environment. 

You can even customise your playground canopy with your school’s logo, a great way to inject school spirit and pride. Logos can be printed onto the canopy service, which is something we can discuss upon your initial consultation.

A&S Landscape: Your Reliable Source for Quality Playground Solutions 

At A&S Landscape, we’ve been specialists in the design, creation, and installation of school canopies for almost 50 years! All of our projects are undertaken with the well-being of children as the primary focus, and each one is unique to your play area or playground. 

Made up of a friendly team, we are trusted by local authorities, educational bodies, NHS Trusts, schools, colleges, and universities across the UK to deliver long-lasting canopies that are fit for purpose. It’s part of our core values to provide you with an efficient, reliable, and personal service. 

Whatever your playground canopy requirements are, we can help you choose the right shade solution for you. Simply get in touch with a member of our team or give us a call on 01743 444 100.

How Much Are Our Playground Shelters?

As with all our products, the best way to get a playground canopy cost is to talk to us or you can visit our prices page for details of how to contact us for pricing. As a basic rule, a straight roof canopy will cost less than a curved roof play area canopy and a one-way sloping roof (as opposed to pitched or barrel vault design) will save on guttering (if required).

Options for Playground Canopies

  • Freestanding playground canopies
  • Straight roof playground canopies
  • Curved roof playground canopies
  • Side panels
  • Post pads
  • Coloured polycarbonate roof canopies

Need inspiration? Take a look at our playground canopy projects

Bleasdale School In Lancashire Install Playground Canopies

Bleasdale School Fabric Play Area CanopiesWith ample beautiful surroundings around Bleasdale School, pupils and teachers were used to enjoying the lovely outdoors regularly. However, on those harsh winter days or those very hot sunny days, this proved to be challenging. The school got in touch with A&S Landscape as they needed some outdoor protection so their children could enjoy playing outdoors without any worry. We were delighted to be contacted as we had the perfect solution for them – our Maxima StarSail®. This beautiful canopy is extremely trendy in its design, yet perfectly functional and useful for the needs and expectations of Bleasdale school – so much so that they requested not one but three canopies to be installed.  Now the children can enjoy being fully protected from the unpredictable weather in an eye-catching Lemon and Victoria Blue fabric cover that truly has that wow factor. Click here for more details on this playground canopy installation for Bleasdale School.

Outdoor Playground Canopy at Allen Edwards Primary School in Stockwell

Playground Canopies at Allen Edwards Primary SchoolOutdoor teaching and learning were important to Allen Edwards Primary School, and having a brand-new site on their school grounds presented the perfect opportunity to add two canopies, which provided an exciting new learning environment. The school reached out to A&S Landscape requesting to install two Motiva Linear™ straight roof canopies. These were both finished in a subtle Slate Grey, keeping the look both warm yet professional. The school love the two new additions to their playground as now they can be protected from the weather all year round, plus they have a lovely community shared space to enjoy the fresh air, which no doubt has a positive impact on the wellbeing of the children. It was a pleasure working on this project with Allen Edwards Primary School. For more information on this outdoor playground canopy installation, please click here.

Outdoor Classroom Created for Monksmoor Park Primary School in Northamptonshire

Canopy with sides we designed for Monksmoor Park Primary SchoolThere is a big emphasis on spending quality time outside at Monksmoor Park Primary School which is why the team wanted to add a canopy to the playground. A&S Landscape was asked to design a semi-enclosed canopy which could be used during playtimes as well as an external classroom. We created a Motiva Linear™ design complete with side panels and a multicoloured polycarbonate roof. The panels provide extra protection from the elements and protect the equipment stored in the covered space. Plus, the colourful roof gives the area a pop of colour and encourages the pupils to play underneath the cover. It’s safe to say that the initial brief has been successfully fulfilled and everyone is pleased with the final result. Want to know more about the enclosed cover we made for Monksmoor Park Primary School? Click here.

Shropshire’s Woodside Primary School Install a Playground Canopy

Canopy we designed for Woodside SchoolWhen repeat customers, Woodside Primary School in Oswestry, asked us to help with creating a playground canopy for their Key Stage 1 outdoor play area, we were really pleased. It’s always a pleasure to work with our existing customers! And this is such a lovely part of the world to visit too, being close to the Welsh borders. Given that Woodside Primary School already had an idea of what they wanted, it was a case of scoping out the best playground cover canopy for the area in question. The finished design used the Motiva Mono canopy which has a curved roof profile. The design was really brought to life by the vibrant Traffic Red steelwork that the school chose. The project didn’t end there, either. To really finish the area off as a fabulous outdoor play canopy, we also installed a multicoloured fence and rubber play surface. To find out more about Woodside Primary School’s new playground shade canopy area, click here.

New Playground Canopy at Christ Church C of E Primary School in West Midlands

Shelter we installed at Christ CofE Primary SchoolChrist Church C of E Primary School, West Midlands, asked A&S Landscape for help in designing a playground canopy scheme for shade. The playground canopy was to run parallel with two of the school’s classrooms. Getting the right design was important because while the school wanted shelter, blocking light from entering the building would have detracted from the scheme. After considering the size of the site and what the school needed from their playground shade canopy, A&S Landscape devised a scheme for a Motiva Linear canopy. The solid steel design of the Motiva Linear makes the whole structure robust and durable. This canopy was finished off in Ultramarine Blue with an Opal polycarbonate roof. If you have a larger space and are interested in the flexibility of the Motiva Linear, then you can get playground shade canopy prices by clicking here. To see the finished playground shade canopy project at Christ Church C of E Primary School, click here.

 FAQs

For playground canopies, steel with a durable powder-coated finish and polycarbonate roofing is a strong, long-lasting, and weather-resistant material option. Fabrics like PVC or shade cloth offer flexibility, can be designed in various shapes and sizes, and are easily installed.

The price of your playground canopy will depend on your requirements, the size, roof shape, access to the area, and the type of ground we’re installing on. We can quickly assess your circumstances and discuss your requirements, offering you a fully inclusive price with no obligation. If you have a budget or maximum spend, we will fit our recommendations around your needs. 

As a basic rule, at A&S Landscape, a straight roof canopy will cost less than a curved roof play area canopy, and a one-way sloping roof will save on guttering.

Have a read of our Cost & Financing FAQs for more information, or get in touch with a member of our team.

The need for shade in schools is highly important, with too much sun exposure leading to harmful effects. To create shade for a playground, one of the best things you can do for your school is invest in a playground canopy. We’d recommend one of our shade sails, which are large fabric canopies stretched between posts or anchor points, offering versatile and effective shading. We’ve also got a wide range of steel and polycarbonate canopies that are sturdy and highly durable.

Playground canopies don’t often require planning permission, but it of course can depend on size, usage, and location. We can help determine this with the help of some of our best legal advice. 

Should you need planning permission, we can make all the arrangements on your behalf. Give us a call on 01743 444 100 to discuss further.

Whether you need a playground canopy depends on your priorities and the specific needs of your playground or school environment. A playground canopy provides a safe and sheltered place for children to play, even during those cold winter months. In addition to providing shelter, canopies can make playgrounds feel more inviting and usable. However, things such as cost, maintenance, and space are all factors that should be considered before investing in a playground shade canopy.

Transcription

Jo Clark (On the Hill Director and Facilitator):

One of the reasons I feel really passionate about this work is that, I was brought up on a farm not many miles away. And incidentally a farm where my parents struggled to make a living off 60 acres of land. And nowadays could certainly not make a living off 40 acres of land that we have here. I’m absolutely determined to use this land for social, educational and therapeutic purposes.

But what has inspired me over the years working with land-based education, and I was a teacher doing that work for 10 years, I’ve been involved in an organisation developing land-based initiatives for children, young people and adults for 10 years.

What I really, really want to question is just how we are growing our next generation. Are we growing our next generation into conformist, compliance people who will serve the present economic system? Or are we empowering our next generation to feel that they can be part of the change, the change that clearly is needed in our society?

What we have found and what we really are developing is ways that we can build resilience, build self-confidence, build a sense in the young people that they can be part of building their future. And encouraging them to make sense of their world. And involving them in the gardens and the natural world, management of the woodlands and hedgerows, and engagement with the food that they eat. They are making more sense because actually nature does make sense.

What happens in our natural world is much less abstract than what happens in our human created world. We’re helping them to make sense, but we’re also involving them.

In our programs, whether we’re doing our outreach in schools, helping schools develop their school gardens, or building pizza ovens, or any other outdoor learning facilities. Whether we’re doing that in schools or whether we’re building a new barn, or a new set of compost toilets, or a new pizza oven, or working in the garden here or managing the woodland and hedgerows, looking after the animals.

We’re actually giving children a sense that they can be part of the building of that future. We’re actually strengthening what I called, something that I feel that we’re all born with is, imagine it as the in-service muscle.

Imagine a muscle that we’re all born with because we want to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We want to be part of community. We want to be making a contribution to community, but our culture is not really helping this muscle develop. And consequently, the muscle becomes rather atrophied and it’s not strengthened.

And what I’m talking about is offering children and young people the opportunity to build and strengthen this in-service muscle. So as they grow through childhood, and through their teens and into adulthood, that they actually feel that they can rather than having to jump through hundreds of hoops that they’ve had to jump through in order to make a contribution, they’ve been empowered by being allowed to make a contribution. So by the time they get to adulthood, they feel that they’re actually can build their future.

Here we are with students from Exeter University studying their PGCE. And the question that we’ve put to them, and I think the question that they’re asking is, how can they be of best service to the growing and the educating of the next generation?

How can they bring themselves more fully?

How can they explore every single aspect of learning and whatever constraint to put upon them, whatever limitation that they have to work within?

How can they bring themselves fully so that they can actually offer an education that is not only focused on information intellectually-based learning, that is more focused around growing the whole human being?

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Motiva Duo (15) covered walkways

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