Galashiels Academy in Scotland Add New Sun Shade Sail

The design of this type of sun shelter means that it fits neatly into most spaces without compromising the existing footprint. Now the hard-working pupils have an area in which to catch their breath during those challenging gym sets!

Project Specification

Product: Maxima Sail™
Steelwork:
- Anthracite Grey - RAL NO. 7016
Fabric:
- Natural

What was the project brief?

Galashiels Academy, sitting in the Scottish Borders, is a high school at the heart of a small community. They are an active school offering activities such as their popular cycling club to the pupils. The school grounds even contain an outdoor gym area which is a great place for pupils to mix up their fitness regimes. The staff had identified an area of the campus which was very exposed to the weather. The school wanted to install something that would give a place of shade as well as an option for sheltering from the rain.

What was our solution?

Fabric sail we made for Galashiels Academy As industry experts with a wealth of experience with working with schools, we know that this is a common problem. Schools often approach us to ask for help in identifying sun shield sail solutions at their site. For this particular project, our solution was our Maxima Sail™ product. Designed around four steel uprights, this product can be customised to suit your specific requirements. This great option is suited to a range of situations, from outdoor dining to external gym areas such as the project at Galashiels Academy.

The high school customised their sail by selecting Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) colouring for the steelwork, and fabric in the shade ‘Natural’ for the sail’s canopy colour. Although a small canopy in comparison to some that we have installed, the proportions achieved met the project brief to the letter.

What was the result?

The end result was a freestanding canopy unobtrusively sitting amongst the outdoor gym equipment. The design of this type of sun shelter means that it fits neatly into most spaces without compromising the existing footprint. Now the hard-working pupils have an area in which to catch their breath during those challenging gym sets!

Testimonials/Client Feedback

Galashiels Academy was so happy with the project that they gave A&S Landscape a five star survey review rating for this project. You can find more client feedback and testimonials for our installations on secondary school sites here.

About the client

Galashiels Academy sits in the heart of the Scottish border town of Galashiels. Galashiels itself is a relatively small town of around 15,000 residents, so the school is a central part of the local community.

With the beautiful border countryside around it, there’s plenty to inspire the school’s pupils to be active. In fact, inspiration can be found in the school itself because the Galashiels Academy Design and Technology Teacher, Caroline McKaig, has been recognised in Cycling UK’s Top Women in Cycling 2020. The school also as an Active Schools Co-ordinator role which links in with the sport, recreation and culture organisation, Live Borders. Although the town itself is small, there is much going on to motivate the pupils in the school to get active!

Why are sun shield sails perfect for secondary schools?

Secondary school education offers a range of opportunities for pupils to learn and grow. Many secondary schools, like Galashiels Academy, are therefore looking for creative ways to increase the learning opportunities in different settings. Shade sails are a perfect way to do this because:

They are a cost-effective way to create a multifunctional area in a corner of your site.
They can bring underused spaces to life and into practical use once again.
They are quick and easy to install, and our expert team of engineers know all about working on a busy school site.
They can be customised to whatever colour combination you choose. Select from a range of steel colours, as well as an array of canopy colours.
They can be added to later should you so choose. Space permitting, you may decide to add another standing canopy when budgets allow it.
They are low maintenance and great looking as well as being practical and efficient.
Offering a choice of either shade cloth or waterproof fabric, it’s possible to achieve both shade and shelter with the installation of just this single product.

How does childhood obesity negatively effect children and what can schools and parents do to combat this?

Children are largely not in control of the food they have or the exercise they take. Furthermore, when they exercise, the respiratory implications and body weakness can lead to embarrassment amongst their peers as they find it difficult to move. Regardless, it is essential to promote healthier eating, more exercise, and assist a child who lives with obesity in combating the depression, anxiety, stigma, and the health and academic implications associated with obesity, which is a task much more far-reaching than it first looks to be.

We can define some of the fixes Dame Sally Davies proposes in her report: Time To Solve Childhood Obesity into three factors.

• Children need to play outside.

• Children need access to healthy foods.

• Schemes need to be set in motion by schools, manufacturers, health services, town planners and politicians to create better opportunities for children to have access to outside play and healthy food regardless of their social-economic position.

Discover how we can achieve these aims and more over on our full article page.

Why choose A&S Landscape?

The list of schools that we have worked with is extensive. Our experience of working in the education sector really does speak for itself. But please don’t take our word for it. Instead, have a look at this video testimonial from another secondary school leader and make up your own mind.

Working with A&S Landscape offers you a range of benefits:

You get first-hand access to our knowledge and our experience.
You can work with our design team to scope out exactly what you want.
We can talk you through the advantages and disadvantages of different canopy types.
We work with you from concept to completion and are on hand to answer your questions throughout.
We understand that budgets are tight in schools today, so we can offer solutions to problems with this in mind.

If you would like to know more about how we can help you, call a member of our friendly team today for a no-obligation discussion on 01743 444100 or at [email protected].

Take a look at some of our other projects based near Scotland in Cumbria

Dowdales School Add Curved Roof Walkway Cover to Campus

Our team erected a curved roof canopy at Dowdales School, Dalton-In-Furness, Cumbria. The job involved one Motiva™ Mono monopitch curved roof canopy measuring 21000mm X 5000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish and six Adult Olympic recycled plastic picnic benches.

Straight Roof Shelter Made for St Mark’s CE School

Our engineers made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at St Mark’s C E School, Natland, Kendal, Cumbria. The full contract involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 6000mm X 5000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Newman Catholic School Created Outdoor Sheltered Area

A&S created a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at Newman Catholic School, Silverdale Road, Carlisle, Cumbria. The contract included the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 68358mm X 8000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.