Monksmoor Park CE Primary School in Northamptonshire Add Playground Canopy

Shelter was an important aspect of the new canopy. With the British weather being what it is, the school wanted something that mitigated the effect of all the elements.

Project Specification

  • Product: Motiva Linear™
  • Size: 11200mm x 4000mm
  • Steelwork:
    • Slate Grey - RAL NO. 7015

  • Roof:
    • Daffodil

    • Mandarin

What was the project brief?

Monksmoor Park CE Primary School is located in the market town of Daventry, NorthamptonshireCanopy with sides we designed for Monksmoor Park Primary School. They wanted to introduce an area of sheltered play in the existing playground area, which is located at the front of the school.

With no existing shelter in the playground, they wanted a canopy cover that would enhance the environment for the children, meaning more outdoor play opportunities. However, owing to the prominent position of the area concerned, they also wanted a shelter solution that looked appealing and made the school an even more inviting and welcoming place.

What was our canopy solution?

Shelter was an important aspect of the new canopy. With the British weather being what it is, the school wanted something that mitigated the effect of all the elements. As a result, our shelter solution came in the form of the Motiva Linear™ asymmetric straight roof canopy. So why was this our recommended product? Well, the area of shelter to be covered at Monksmoor Park CE Primary School ran parallel with the side of the existing school building. Effectively what was needed was almost a lean-to shelter which would butt up against the side of the school, whilst at the same time provide a seamless addition to the building.

With the Motiva Linear™ this can be achieved, quickly, efficiently and with minor impact upon the area in question, making it an ideal option for projects of this nature. The design options of the Motiva Linear™ also make it a versatile choice. As we have already indicated, shelter was a primary factor in the Monksmoor Park CE Primary School’s project. A traditional overhead canopy cover would achieve this to some degree, but there are optional additions to the canopy architecture that can enhance the shelter provided even more.

Our design for Monksmoor Park CE Primary School therefore included the addition of glazed panels to each elevation of the canopy installation, as well as two further glazed panels to the front elevation. This left the finished steel shelter frame partially open and partially enclosed, representing a best of both worlds approach.

The overall canopy installation at the Monksmoor Park CE Primary School project measured in at 12200 mm x 40000 mm. The steel shelter frame itself was finished in Slate Grey (RAL 7015) Dura-coat™ steelwork, and the overhead canopy cover in Daffodil and Mandarin coloured polycarbonate. All of these steelwork and polycarbonate colours were selected from our extensive colour options.

What was the result of their new playground shelter canopy?

The end result of the Monksmoor Park CE Primary School project was a fabulous playground shelter that offers shelter, even on the breeziest, wettest days. Ultimately, this means that the children can get outside and play or learn on many more occasions during the course of the year. From a practical perspective, the canopy installation delivers exactly what the school needed in terms of shelter provision.

The other aspect of the project brief was to create a canopy architecture scheme that looks fabulous in its location at the front of the school building. With the sleek lines of the Motiva Linear™ this was easily achieved.

Client feedback

We were pleased to hear from Monksmoor Park CE Primary School that they really were happy with their new playground canopy. They told us:

“We are very happy with the project, especially as the team worked through challenging circumstances.”

In addition, they also told us that the reason that they selected A&S Landscape for this project over other providers was due to the fact that that prior to them even making an order, our team offered a range of advice to help them to reach a decision on the best way forward.

About the client

Monksmoor Park CE Primary School is a Church of England school with a clear identity as a faith school. On their website they explain in detail how their school emblem has been designed and how the elements of the cross, the daisy petals and depictions of woodlands and water fit alongside one another to bringing the values of the school together. Beneficiaries of the Government’s PE and Sports Premium, they have a strong commitment to the promotion of physical activities for the pupils. Their new canopy installation will be a valuable asset in getting the children active in the outdoor environment. With more opportunities to run around and play outside of the confines of the school building itself, they will be making the most of their new asset in a really positive way.

Why invest in a playground canopy?

There are hundreds of reasons to invest in a playground shelter canopy, and you can see examples of how other schools have benefited from installing one on our websitePlayground tepee we designed for Hedgewood School. But to whet your appetite, here are just a handful of things to consider:

Why is playground safety so important and how can schools protect their pupils?

School playgrounds and any outdoor play equipment is a excellent way to give your pupils a healthy way to get a break from the classroom. Pupils getting exercise while spending time with their friends is something that schools should definitely encourage, but it’s also mightily important that the fun isn’t ruined by a child getting hurt while using the playground.

Playgrounds can become hazardous for a wide variety of various reasons. Unsafe behaviour is clearly something that teachers and students alike should be on the lookout for. But along with protecting children from the weather, uneven and improper surfaces can also cause mishaps – and unsafe or broken outdoor equipment can quickly turn the fun sour.

It’s supposed that in the UK alone, around 40,000 children suffer from playground accidents. Several of these even end up in the hospital or A&E, making it vital that schools do everything they can to carry out proper playground safety. UK schools across the country struggle with making their playgrounds as safe as possible – thankfully, a lot of these accidents can be avoided with attentive supervision.

By following safety guidelines and inspecting surfaces and equipment, you can do a lot to prevent potential accidents that your pupils may have – making it a space that can be safe and fun to play around in with fewer hazards.

Continue reading our article to discover more ways to keep your playground safe.

How A&S Landscape can help you

Feedback from Monksmoor Park CE Primary School indicated that they ultimately chose A&S Landscape for their commercial school project because we were able to help answer their questions even before they placed an order with us. With the need to account for every single penny spent, we understand the need for schools to explore all options before committing to making an order. With over 40 years of experience in the sector, we are happy to share our expertise to help you get the right shelter solution for your project.

We welcome enquires and invite you to reach out to us today to find out how we can help you too.

Read about some of the other projects we have completed in Northamptonshire

Pitsford School Add Curved Roof Entrance Canopy

In combination with our building contractor client we made a curved roof canopy at Pitsford School Pitsford, Northamptonshire. The full contract involved one Motiva Entro™ curved roof canopy measuring 3000mm x 1800mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Isebrook SEN College Create Outdoor Sheltered Space with Shelter

In collaboration with our building contractor client our team made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at Isebrook SEN College Eastleigh Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 9900mm X 2900mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Straight Roof Canopy Installed at Malcolm Arnold Preparatory School

In combination with a specialist firm of architects A&S designed a straight polycarbonate roof canopy for Malcolm Arnold Preparatory School Trinity Avenue, Northampton, Northamptonshire. The contract included one Motiva™ monopitch straight coloured polycarbonate roof canopy measuring 13000mm X 5000mm including Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Thrapston Primary SchoolThrapston Primary School Add Curved Roof Playground Shelter

Working with our building contractor client we erected a curved roof canopy in Thrapston Primary School Thrapston, Northamptonshire. The job involved one Motiva Mono™ monopitch curved roof canopy measuring 28250mm X 4900mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish and post protector pads.

Covered Outdoor Area Created at Christopher Reeves School

Working for our building contractor client our team built a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in Christopher Reeves School Podington, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 17000mm x 4000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Bespoke multicoloured shelter we designed for Oundle SchoolOundle Primary School Add Multicoloured Polycarbonate Roof Shelter

Working for our building contractor client A&S created a straight polycarbonate roof canopy for Oundle Primary School Oundle, Northamptonshire. The contract included the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy with coloured polycarbonate measuring 21700mm x 2960mm and 15800mmx 7950mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish and eight post protection pads.

Enclosed Shelter with Roller Shutters Designed for Olympic Primary School

In combination with a commercial partner our engineers made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy with roller shutters in Olympic Primary School Queensway, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The contract included the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight coloured polycarbonate roof canopy measuring 8000mm x 6000mm with three electrically operated roller shutter doors 4000mm wide and glazed panels to side elevation and Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.