Riverside Special School in East Yorkshire Adds Playground Canopy

What was the project brief?

Riverside Special School in Goole, East Yorkshire was in need of a playground shelter so its students could enjoy spending time in the outdoor space, no matter the weather. We had provided two canopies for them previously, so the staff were keen to work with us again. They wanted something offering top-notch coverage with a sleek, simple design that could work in their colourful environment outside. We were thrilled when they contacted us and we soon got to work on expanding their covered outdoor facilities.

What was our playground canopy solution?

After much deliberation, those representing Riverside Special School picked out a Motiva Linear™ from our product range. Many clients choose this to create a playground shelter as it can be placed against buildings for seamless coverage when moving from inside a classroom to the outdoors. We installed a model with Slate Grey steelwork, which matched the school’s other Motiva Linear™ that worked as a play canopy elsewhere on-site, but instead had a multicoloured roof. For this project, we added an Opal roof for a straightforward look that complemented the colourful playground area, and we built the structure to measure 12000mm X 4000mm so it could shield multiple children from the elements at once when having fun in the fresh air.

What was the result of the shelter?

Riverside Special School was impressed with the new steel canopy. It has been a fantastic addition to their facilities, and it works well alongside our existing products there so even more students can play outside in all conditions. Alongside a bright Motiva Linear™, we had previously installed a Maxima Sail™ on the grounds so this third, more subtle playground shelter created welcome variety on top of extra coverage. It was a satisfying job to build on our solutions at the site and complete it with a satisfied, repeat customer and community who would thoroughly benefit from using the space.

Testimonial

“A&S Landscape displayed outstanding work ethic with consideration for the school, the staff and the pupils.”

Riverside Special School

About the client

Riverside Special School supports children aged from 4 to 18 years old with learning difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Conditions, medical or sensory impairments, and profound and multiple needs. It has an impressive range of facilities that include a Hydrotherapy pool and sensory areas, and it aims to provide an ‘effective learning environment for pupils who face a variety of challenges in their daily life’. It was a pleasure to work with this institution for a second time and we would happily return, should they wish for our services in the future.

This client is situated in Goole, a Yorkshire town with a well-known maritime history and industrial past. It has a lively marina, and those interested in the port’s history can find out more at Goole Museum and Art Gallery. Families can enjoy the great outdoors on the nature trail along the canal towpath towards Rawcliffe and at the nearby Blacktoft Sands RSPB Reserve, home to rare breeding birds.

What are the benefits of playground shelters?

Adding a play canopy to your institution can be advantageous for a range of reasons. Here are just a few:

• Extending your facilities – many schools have increasing numbers of pupils and so need to find more space for break times. Making use of outdoor areas with a shelter can be an efficient way to address this.
• Creating a safer play environment – covering part of your playground means that you can reduce the risks of slips and trips when it’s been raining or snowing outside. Also, shelters protect youngsters from harmful UV rays.
• Getting children out in the fresh air more often – wet playtimes can mean that children miss out on spending time outdoors during the day, but canopies ensure that these important, stress-relieving breaks in spaces other than classrooms aren’t affected by the weather. This can help pupils in everything from their wellbeing to their physical health and even their academic performance.

We’re able to help institutions make the most of their outdoor spaces for their pupils’ benefit. Give us a call on 01743 444100 today or email us at [email protected] to discuss your needs with our team and find out more about your perfect canopy.

What colours can I choose from when designing my shelter?

The options are endless when it comes to colours and shades for your canopy, whether it’s an outdoor classroom shelter or a waterproof sail shade. We are proud to offer the widest range of colours available in the industry with multiple choices for steelwork, PVC fabric, shade cloth fabric, polycarbonate and post pads. We can find a fantastic combination for any preference – everything from subtle, modern looks to eye-catching, vibrant designs. Contact us by email at [email protected] to talk this through with us now.