Uxbridge High School in Middlesex Add Multiple Break Time Shelters

What was the project brief?

Uxbridge High School in Middlesex wanted to provide shelter for their students during break times and lunchtimes. They thought that installing several canopies in their school grounds would be the ideal solution which would allow the children to spend more time outside in wet weather.

The school contacted A&S Landscape to find out more about their products and how the company could help them achieve their shelter goal.

What was our canopy solution?

After discussing various options with the A&S Landscape team, the staff at Uxbridge High School chose a large Motiva Linear™ straight roof canopy measuring 10000mm X 7000mm. This product would act as a brilliant break time canopy with its straight roof design and Dura-coat™ finish. It was installed with Moss Green steelwork and a Moondust roof – a fantastic combination of colours that gave the design an overall classy feel.

The school also decided to purchase five Maxima Umbrella™ shelters, each built to specifications of 7000mm X 7000mm. With waterproof PVC fabric roofs and a functional, modern design, they would be sure to shield students from the rainy British weather. They chose subtler colours for these canopies; the White roofs and Slate Grey steelwork would then add something special to their facilities without clashing with their existing buildings.

What was the result of their break time canopies?

Uxbridge High School loves their six new break time canopies and now students can enjoy relaxing outside between lessons in all seasons. Whether it’s to take shelter from the sun in the summer or get away from the rain and wind in the winter, the students can spend time with friends undercover and get the benefits of being outside more often thanks to their school’s canopies. A&S Landscape was delighted that the project went successfully and the shelter solutions that they provided met the school’s needs.

About the client

Uxbridge High School is a secondary school in Middlesex. They say on their website that they open minds and develop individuality in their students through ‘outstanding teaching, inspirational opportunities and exceptional learning’. They stand at the heart of their local community, and A&S Landscape was thrilled to work with such an institution.

The school is located in Uxbridge, a town which is also part of West London. It is known as a retail and commercial centre, as well as being considered a university town. Uxbridge High School is a stone’s throw away from Brunel University London – a plate glass university named after the Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel – which has strengths in engineering and business. Being so close to London, this town provides many opportunities for students at nearby schools.

What are the benefits of eating outdoors on children and should we make this a essential part of the school day?

There are a large number of demonstrated benefits to alfresco dining as a part of the school day. As young people spend the whole day in a classroom environment, it is critical that they are given time to breathe at lunchtime. In spending this break in the fresh air, it not only promotes a relaxing atmosphere but can also decrease levels of hyperactivity in a student. If a pupil is to spend their break inside, it can emulate the classroom environment and stop them from taking enough amount of time to relax. Alfresco dining is also a very sociable activity, free by the dining hall setting students can interact with other year groups freely.

Over on our blog you can see how schools can encourage their pupils to dine outside regularly – click here.

What activities can be done underneath a canopy during break times?

Canopies can provide many different uses, and almost every model is multi-functional. For schools, they can offer a unique way to reduce pressure on their existing facilities – for example, dining rooms and playgrounds when children are taking breaks from lessons – and open up opportunities for students, no matter the weather.

Shelters installed for use in break times can be fantastic social areas for children to catch up in and, if combined with picnic benches, they can be great places for them to eat lunch and snacks too. They can be used before exams as quiet places to think and prepare, or even as regular study areas for students who need to revise or complete coursework. Plus, working in the fresh air can often feel less stressful than working inside during a long day of learning in classrooms. Students can also use a canopy cover as somewhere to host clubs, play board games and hold competitions like chess in all seasons.

There are many other ways shelters can benefit schools that want to provide more break time facilities for their students, plus canopies that can be used for further projects like cycle storage, dining, games areas, walkways and outdoor classrooms! If you’d like to find out more about our products and what you could use them for at your institution, email us today at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.

Why choose A&S Landscape?

At A&S Landscape, we pride ourselves on our decades of expertise and experience, and the opportunities this enables us to give our customers. We offer the widest range of colours available in the industry, with many choices in steelwork, polycarbonate, shade cloth, post pad and waterproof fabric roofing. Why not combine Traffic Blue steelwork with an Opal polycarbonate roof for a classic look, or Orange fabric with White steelwork for a bright, uplifting design? To find the ideal combination for your school, give our helpful team a call on 01743 444100 or email [email protected] now.

Read about more of our canopy installations based in Middlesex

Nower Hill High School Add Straight Roof Shelter to Campus

We built a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at Nower Hill High School George V Avenue, Pinner, Middlesex. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 8000mm X 2500mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Shade Sail Designed for Worcester Primary School

Working for the building contractor our engineers produced a sail structure at Worcester Primary School Enfield, Middlesex. The contract included the supply and installation of one Maxima™ tensile shade cloth fabric sail structure comprising of two rectangle sails on ten uprights including for all stainless steel fixtures and fittings.

St Martin’s Primary School Add Shelter to Playground

Our engineers created a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in St Martin’s Primary School Rowan Road, West Drayton, Middlesex. The full contract involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 11790mm X 3000mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish and flashing to the back of the canopy.