Get set for spring with a playground canopy

A playground canopy adds versatility to your outdoor space and, by protecting against both direct sunlight and heavy rain, it can help you make the most out of the entire school year.

Playground canopies are ideal as both an educational resource and a handy space saver:

Educational resource

A playground canopy truly comes into its own when the sun is shining and the classroom becomes too stuffy to promote concentration and learning.

Taking pupils outside to enjoy an impromptu reading, singing or story time session on a summer’s afternoon can be a memorable and fulfilling addition to the curriculum.

But, you can also use a playground canopy as a formal part of your teaching strategy. Not only can many lessons be taken out of the classroom altogether, some subjects can benefit significantly from the availability of outdoor space.

Biology and art are two prime examples:

Biology

For biology lessons, you can use the playground canopy as a central hub for students carrying out ecological studies around the school’s grounds.

You can even turn the space underneath the canopy into a dedicated micro-ecosystem by using plastic sheeting and a bit of clever positioning to change the amount of sunlight, wind or moisture that’s allowed in.

Art

Set the playground canopy up as an art studio that inspires your pupils by looking out over an ever-changing seasonal landscape.

Or, use it as a place for pupils to truly express themselves, make a mess or create objects that couldn’t fit into a classroom.

Benefits of outdoor learning:

These are just some of the benefits your pupils can experience from learning outdoors:

• Greater understanding of and respect for nature, the environment and ecological interdependence
• Confidence with a range of physical activities that promote a healthy, active lifestyle
• Improved concept of risk assessment and ability to adapt to new, untested situations
• Enhanced creativity, imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness
• Increased brain development in younger children, who learn predominantly through sensory and physical experiences

Space saver

A playground canopy can also act as a handy space saver, saving you from repurposing inside space at a greater cost. Here’s an introduction to some of the ways a playground canopy can help you save space:

Corridors

Move corridors into covered outdoor areas to optimise use of your indoor space, and give pupils some fresh air in-between lessons.

Outdoor seating

Ease pressure on overcrowded lunch halls and cafeterias in the summer months by creating covered seating areas.

Summer events

Summer is the season for school events. You can prevent disruption to your normal school day by moving the setup process to covered outdoor space.

A playground canopy is an immensely versatile resource that can enhance learning and increase the total amount of space available for pupils. Isn’t it time your school started integrating them into your plans for summer?