Canopies for Playgrounds

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Simon Balle All-through School in Hertfordshire adds Multiple School Canopies

What was the project brief?

Simon Balle All-through School in Hertford offers education to children from primary age right up to sixth form. In 2015, the school added a new building with classrooms, offices and an assembly hall. The new classrooms had been developed with new and exciting resources, intended to engage and stimulate students to learn. The school wanted to ensure that the outside space complemented the new school building, and this is where A&S Landscape became involved. Having designed, manufactured and installed thousands of shade systems for playgrounds and other uses, the expertise they brought was paramount to the completion of the school’s vision.

This was a large-scale project, with the school opting for not just one outdoor canopy, but four! Each one would serve its purpose in developing the outside space, but all needed to ‘fit’ with the existing architecture and surrounding environment and provide efficient shelter for the children. With the average size of classes increasing, these were to be large canopies that could be used as outdoor classrooms, an area for in-between lessons and outside dining.

What was our school canopy solution?

The school canopy we chose for the two playground shelters and the entrance canopy was the straight-roof design Motiva Linear™. These solidly built canopies are built from a steel framework, have a Dura-coat™ finish, and with their flexible design features widths of up to 10000m are easily achievable. One of these particular canopies we installed at Simon Balle All-through School measured 15000mm X 4000mm!

For securing cycles, we installed a Cyclo City™ – our answer to the flimsy cycle stores available on the market. With a robust steel frame and 35mm thick roof, there is little doubt that this is a safe place for students and teachers to park their bikes. Great value, secure, and a clever design of simplicity – these robust stores are great for schools, colleges, and universities, where more and more students want to live a healthier lifestyle. Scooter racks were also installed inside the shelter.

While the cycle shelter and the playground canopies served more functional benefits, the entrance canopy added style. Being specialists for enhancing playgrounds in early year settings, academies and sixth forms, the shelters were designed with the children in mind. All of the canopies matched the other architectural steelwork too.

We were proud to once again to work with Balfour Betty on this project. They are a key supplier for the educational markets in both the UK and America. They work on projects that span from a single extension building, right up to entire campuses.

What was the result of the new shelters?

Each school canopy has its own purpose, and together they all create a unique focal point within the school grounds. The three linear roof canopies provide efficient shelter for the children to play outside, even during the winter months. High-quality weather protection is guaranteed by the weatherproof materials and strong structure. With Ofsted recommending that young children should be outside for at least three hours per day, Simon Balle All-through School made this possible by installing multiple canopies. The children can now enjoy the outdoors under the covered area, even in the depths of winter.

The cycle shelter serves the all-important purpose of keeping the bicycles and scooters safe for both the students and teachers. Both modern and secure, they provide full weather protection from the wind, rain, snow and hail. The fourth school canopy to be installed, the entrance canopy, has brought an essence of style and identity, a proud statement to anyone upon first entering the school.

About the client

Simon Balle all-through School is located in Hertford, Hertfordshire. We were extremely pleased to work with such a friendly and pleasant team of people. Always on hand to assist us with the process, they were a pleasure to work alongside. We were delighted to assist them with several canopies, after the success of the first two play area canopies, and see the amazing results of their ambitious project.

What is a straight roof canopy?

A straight roof canopy is a popular choice for schools. Typically, these canopies are wall-mounted and are often used to make extensions for classrooms as there are countless benefits of learning outside. Installed this way even helps to keep the inside areas cool during the summer. However, a straight roof shelter is also suitable for other uses, including covered walkways and outdoor seating areas.

The straight roof variant used by A&S Landscape is monopitch (asymmetric), meaning that one side is higher than the other. The pitch varies and can be suited to your needs, however, the lowest pitch typically available is 5 degrees. This is to ensure that the end results are effective shade structures, with adequate shade to offer maximum sun protection and effective protection from the harsher weather elements.

These canopies also come with additional features including side panels, clear, opal and coloured roof, and aluminium guttering and downpipes. The final design is dependent on your needs – and A&S Landscape can assist you in making the most of the versatile nature of these outdoor shade structures.

Why work with A&S Landscape?

We have been specialists in the design, creation and installation of school canopies for over 44 years. In this time, we have installed thousands of custom shade structures, some with colourful canopy roof panels, some as modular shelters that extend, and a wide variety of others. All projects are undertaken with the wellbeing of the children as the primary focus, and each is unique to the play area, outdoor area or courtyard that is available.

Being a family-led company, we have never lost touch with our core values. We are made up of a friendly team who are trusted by local authorities, educational bodies, NHS Trusts, schools, colleges and universities across the UK to deliver long-lasting canopies fit for purpose. It’s an integral part of our business to provide all of our customers with an efficient, reliable and personal service.

Whatever your requirements, we can help you choose the right shade solution for you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 01743 444100 or at [email protected].