Did you know that 97% of teachers don’t believe that children can reach their full potential without outdoor play? What is often looked at as a way to extend usable space is, in fact, something that elevates a child’s experience in many ways. It is not just teachers that see the benefits, but also the pupils, as 92% of children say outdoor lessons are more enjoyable.
Creating the perfect outdoor space takes time and consideration as it must comply with the various UK government standards for school premises whilst meeting the expectations of pupils. At Kensington Systems, we specialise in creating engaging outdoor areas, allowing schools to create additional covered space for an affordable price.
To help our clients choose the canopy type that is best suited to their situation, we follow the below criteria. Continue reading to learn what our unique insights and approach consists of.
Decide On The Purpose Of Your Outdoor Space
There are many forms of learning which will dictate the form of outdoor space that you require. Other factors, such as existing usable areas and the age of the pupils, will also become part of the decision-making process.
To create the right outdoor space for a primary school pupil, you must consider both play and academic uses. Outdoor learning is proven to reduce stress levels in young learners, so integrating the area with fun activities is also important.
No matter what you plan on using your school canopy for, there is always a solution that will suit your needs perfectly.
Understand What Criteria Outdoor Space Must Meet
As you know, any additions to academic institutions must comply with various regulations. By arming yourself with knowledge, you can easily design a primary school outdoor learning spot which ticks every box.
The Advice on Standards for School Premises was published in 2015 and includes information about outdoor learning areas. One form of space is needed for informal places and socialising. This can also be used for alfresco learning requirements.
Any outdoor learning areas should also provide shelter and weather protection to ensure full-year usage. This should be water- and sunproof to ensure pupils are never exposed to adverse conditions. The quality of education is also improved by meeting these needs as it ensures that outdoor lessons can occur at any time of year. For primary school pupils, this is vitally important as it provides an ongoing way to engage and inspire.
Last but not least to consider are the types of spaces available. Schools need to provide areas for all forms of learning styles. For younger pupils, this should touch on both pragmatic and kinesthetic learning, as teaching at this age is mixed depending on development patterns.
Select An Option That Suits Your Design
Now comes the fun part; selecting your school canopy!
With a range of options available, you can choose between aluminium and timber canopies, or fabric shade sails depending on your needs and budget.
It’s important to select something that meets health & safety considerations and standards. To make things easier for you, all our options are designed with pupil safety in mind, with features such as built in downpipes, a non-fragile roof, or non-splintering play grade timber.
Another economical option for primary school alternative education is outdoor learning pods. They can be designed bespoke for your needs and placed anywhere around your grounds for an immersive lesson style. Place next to woodland or creative areas to further enhance the learning opportunities that your pupils have.
No matter which option you select, a canopy is a versatile addition which means that sessions can be performed in various locations to improve pupil engagement levels.
Choose The Right Contractor
Choosing a suitable primary school outdoor space will be reliant on having the right company by your side. Building work in schools is a complex task, so you should always select someone with experience working with education establishments. We offer groundworks and full project management as part of our service, and our operatives hold enhanced-DBS accreditation.
To see some of our recent installations, check out our case studies here.
This guide will help you achieve a brilliant outdoor learning space tailored to your needs. To learn more, contact us today.
