Alderbrook School Gets New Bespoke Outdoor Canopies

The leadership team recognised that many pupils wanted to use outdoor areas for dining and socialising, but poor weather often made this difficult. They wanted a practical, attractive, and durable solution that could offer shelter in all conditions.

Alderbrook looked for a provider that could design and install strong, long-lasting canopies that matched the school’s busy environment and growing needs.

Challenges

• Limited outdoor dining space: Pupils had few sheltered areas to eat or relax outside, particularly in wet weather.
• High student numbers: With more than 1,600 pupils, the school needed large structures to accommodate many users at once.
• Durability concerns: Any structure had to withstand frequent use and provide reliable protection from both sun and rain.

Our Solution

A&S Landscape worked closely with Alderbrook School to design and install a bespoke canopy package. After assessing the site and the school’s requirements, we proposed two different solutions.

For outdoor dining, we installed a Motiva Duo™ duopitch curved roof canopy, measuring 9000mm x 6000mm. This structure created a large covered area perfect for serving food and providing pupils with a reliable dining space.

To enhance the Snack Shack area, we added two Maxima Umbrella™ waterproof canopies, each 8000mm x 8000mm. These striking umbrella-style shelters provided wide coverage while adding a modern and welcoming feature to the grounds.

Together, these installations created enough space for hundreds of pupils to enjoy meals and social time outdoors, whatever the weather.

Key Features and Materials

• Motiva Duo™ Canopy: Symmetric curved polycarbonate roof with solid steel frame.
• Maxima Umbrella™ Structures: Waterproof PVC fabric, large 8000mm x 8000mm coverage, and smart steel framework.
• Roofing: Genuine Poly-tuff™ polycarbonate panels for the Motiva Duo™, offering strength and long-term weather protection.
• Finish: All steelwork treated with Dura-coat™ for a long-lasting, attractive appearance.

Results

• Expanded outdoor dining capacity: The new shelters created significant extra space for pupils to eat and relax outside.
• Weather protection: Pupils now have covered areas to use in both rain and sunshine, reducing pressure on indoor spaces.
• Durable solution: The robust steel framework and waterproof roofing ensure the canopies will serve the school for many years.
• Improved student experience: Break and lunch times are more enjoyable, with less overcrowding and more choice of spaces to gather.

Conclusion

The canopy project at Alderbrook School was a great success. By installing a Motiva Duo™ dining canopy and two Maxima Umbrella™ structures, we helped the school meet its goal of improving outdoor facilities for a large student community.

The shelters have increased capacity, improved comfort, and created new opportunities for outdoor dining and socialising. This has not only reduced pressure on indoor areas but also supported student wellbeing by encouraging more use of the outdoors.

Alderbrook School now has long-lasting, attractive structures that will benefit pupils and staff for many years to come.