Thistley Hough Academy in Staffordshire add Dining Shelter

What was the project brief?

Thistley Hough Academy, a state-of-the-art secondary school located in Stoke-on-Trent, required a free standing canopy to cover their new outdoor dining area, and accompany their new ‘food pod.’ They had two priorities for the new dining shelter, it had to both look good, and prove to be long lasting. With these two priorities in mind, they approached A&S Landscape, a family-led business with over 44 years of experience in the UK shelter industry. From there, the teams at A&S Landscape, responsible for the design, manufacturing, and installation, swiftly got to work, managing the project from start to finish. The finished product would go on to transform the students’ dining experience.

What was our cover solution?

The school chose the popular Motiva Duo™, the symmetric variant of the Motiva range. With curved polycarbonate roof panels and both sides built to the same height – they are a suitable configuration for standalone structures or when fitted against low roofline buildings. They have a flexible design, and although there are standard sizes, they can be built to accommodate almost any available space.

Here at Thistley Hough Academy, the ‘duo’ measured 10000mm X 5000mm, and the roof was opal in colour. The school’s perfect cover, however, needed to match their school colours and new food pod – Signal Violet. A colour not stocked as standard; the team endeavoured to accommodate the school’s needs. Despite the challenges, the team managed to stock the colour, and the school were left with their structure beautifully coated in Signal Violet.

What was the result of their new canopy?

The school were delighted with their new outdoor dining shelter. The structure looks smart next to the matching food pod, while also providing the students with the shelter they require from the sun’s harmful rays and the wet weather.

This, therefore, means that the food pod benefits from year-round use and is a huge relief on the indoor dining areas which were starting to become overcrowded. It has given the space a real sense of identity, and a whole new lease of life, as a place where the students can sit, relax, and unwind from their busy day of lessons. Additionally, it has met all the school’s requirements, it not only looks great – but with the steel frame and sturdy polycarbonate roof – it will prove to be long-lasting too.

As canopy and shelter specialists, please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you like to enquire about your perfect cover. Whether it’s a colour we don’t usually stock or a bespoke design, it’s always worth a call on 01743 444100!

About the client

Thistley Hough Academy is a secondary school located within the township of Penkhull, in Stoke-on-Trent. Part of the Creative Education Trust, this Academy has been well-recommended by Ofsted. A report made by the educational Governing body in 2017 stated that the school was ‘unlocking the potential in all pupils.’ It was truly a pleasure to work with such a highly-regarded school, and we are pleased that the students now have the provisions to eat outdoors, and socialise with their friends – safe in the knowledge they are protected from the weather.

What are the benefits of eating outdoors?

Eating outdoors has benefits beyond that of the natural buzz of chilled drinks, tasty food from the BBQ and the fun of socialising with friends and family. It also has benefits for our immune system and general wellbeing, and this couldn’t be truer for children, where the impact is even more significant and important. Improved concentration, lower blood pressure, and mood-boosting are all positive effects of eating outdoors and is why a dining shelter is a wonderful addition to any primary or secondary school.

The shelter will act as the essential barrier to the inevitably unpredictable British weather, giving children who don’t have much of an opportunity in their daily lives to enjoy the fresh air – the chance to do so. Especially in the winter, when the days are shorter, and the weather much more stormy, wet and cold – having the provision to sit and eat outside is a welcomed sanctuary for students. For a short time, they can enjoy a rare moment of appreciating the simpler things in life.

Why choose A&S Landscape?

Here at A&S Landscape, we understand that the perfect cover looks different for everyone. For schools, a sun shade from our fabric canopy range could be the trendy, yet effective, solution. For a commercial site, a professional and functional door canopy could be the answer. Or for a business looking for ways to try and reduce its carbon footprint, a bike shelter would be an excellent step in the right direction. Whatever the requirements, we value our customers’ needs and opinions – and what they want to achieve from their canopy project. Have a look at what our clients have to say about us, and you’ll see the difference we’ve made.

If you’d like to hear expert advice from the leading Shelter UK suppliers, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01743 444100 or at [email protected].

Read about more of our projects based in Staffordshire

Weston Coyney Co-Op Add Straight Roof Shelter

Working for our building contractor client we constructed a straight polycarbonate roof canopy for Weston Coyney Co-Op Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire. The full contract involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 6400mm X 5500mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Two Entrance Canopies Designed for May Bank School

In collaboration with our building contractor client our engineers erected two entrance canopies and a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at May Bank Primary School Basford Park Road, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire. The full contract involved the supply and installation of three canopies. One Motiva Entro™ straight roof canopy measuring 2600mm X 1500mm, one Motiva Entro™ straight roof canopy measuring 3000mm X 2700mm, one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 6000mm X 4000mm and six post pads. All canopies included with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Merryfields School Create Covered Outdoor Area

In combination with our building contractor client we made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in Merryfields School Newcastle, Staffordshire. The full contract involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 9375mm X 3600mm and six post protector pads.

Fabric Shade Sail Added to Seating Area at Blessed William Howard Catholic High School

A&S constructed a shade sail structure in Blessed William Howard Catholic High School Rowley Avenue, Stafford, Staffordshire. The job involved one 11700mm x 7100mm x 7200mm Maxima™ tensile shade cloth fabric sail structure comprising of one triangle sail on three uprights including for all stainless steel fixtures and fittings.

St Stephens Primary School Add Shelter with Polycarbonate Roof Sheets

Working alongside our building contractor client our engineers designed a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in St Stephens Primary School Fradley, Lichfield, Staffordshire. The contract included the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 8550mm X 4000m and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Marshbrook First School Add Fabric Tepee Shelter

A&S produced a tensile fabric roof Tepee at Marshbrook First School Penkridge, Stafford, Staffordshire. Full details are: the supply and installation of one Maxima Tepee™ tensile waterproof fabric roof structure measuring 5000mm X 5000mm and four post protector pads. The job involved the supply and installation of one Maxima Tepee™ tensile waterproof fabric roof structure measuring 5000mm X 5000mm and four post protector pads.