With an urgent need for sustainability on the horizon, schools have a huge role to play in shaping more eco-conscious generations. Creating a greener school doesn’t just have to be about recycling bins and turning the lights out… even though these are important, too!
At A&S Landscape, we’re passionate about the design and installation of senior school canopies, and we truly believe that they can help your school to adopt a more sustainable role. In this blog, we’ll give you 5 ideas on how to make a school sustainable, which includes much more than just a canopy!
Ready to reduce your carbon footprint? Then keep reading to find out more…
How To Make a School Sustainable
The Government is taking crucial steps when it comes to climate change and sustainability in education. Creating a school that is more sustainable is a combined effort that involves an entire school community. If you implement certain strategies and foster a culture of sustainability, then your school can inspire future generations and contribute to a more sustainable world!
Straight away, some initial ideas can involve:
- Integrating sustainability into all subjects
- Switching to efficient lighting solutions
- Taking part in a comprehensive recycling programme
- Encouraging sustainable transport
Our 5 Sustainable School Ideas
While these ideas are a good start, we’ve got plenty more suggestions that require a bit more thought and detail. Below, we’ve got 5 sustainable school ideas that you can adopt and put into practice, hopefully educating pupils and staff about the importance of a better environment. Let’s have a closer look at them…
1. Invest in a Canopy
Perhaps one of our favourite ideas is to invest in an outdoor canopy! An outdoor school canopy can reduce energy consumption by acting as an outdoor classroom, creating shaded areas and reducing the need for air conditioning or heating inside classrooms. Investing in a dining area canopy can also encourage pupils to eat outdoors and lower the need for energy consumption used in indoor dining halls.
An outdoor canopy can also be a great environment for outdoor learning, allowing students to adopt an appreciation for nature and encourage environmental stewardship among other pupils.
2. Start a School Gardening Project
Starting a school gardening project can be a fantastic way to enhance sustainability efforts and create a more eco-conscious learning environment. Gardening can help students to learn about sustainable concepts such as composting, water conservation, biodiversity, and the cycle of food. Plus, you can integrate gardening into various subjects such as science, maths, and even art, making learning more engaging and fun.
3. Invest in Energy Efficiency
Another crucial step towards making your school more sustainable is by investing in energy efficiency. Energy efficiency measures directly reduce energy consumption, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions and your school’s overall carbon footprint. One easy way to save energy is by investing in a solar PV canopy. Use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and generate renewable energy that will reduce your bills while providing a stunning and functional outdoor space.
For more information, check out our blog: What is a Solar Canopy – Benefits, Cleaning & More!
4. Stop Wasting Water
Although it sounds obvious, wasting water can contribute towards damaging environmental sustainability. This idea can be as simple as reminding staff and pupils to turn off taps when using the toilet and encouraging them to bring in reusable water bottles. We would also recommend fixing any leaks or drips promptly – even a small drip can waste a significant amount of water over time. You can also incorporate rainwater harvesting into the curriculum to teach students about water conservation and sustainable practices.
5. Encourage Walking to School
Finally on our list of sustainable school ideas is to encourage pupils to adopt more environmentally friendly practices such as walking to school. Walking to school reduces the number of cars on the road, leading to lower greenhouse gases and a smaller carbon footprint for your school community. Walking is also a great form of exercise that promotes physical health as well as mental health. Fewer cars around the school can also create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Benefits of a Senior School Canopy
Now that you’re aware of how you can make your school more sustainable with an outdoor canopy, it’s time for you to understand some other reasons why your school might benefit from one. As well as environmental benefits, a senior or primary school canopy can offer so much more, including:
- Protection from the weather – canopies help to shield students from rain, snow, wind, and harsh sunlight, allowing for the year-round use of outdoor spaces.
- Enhanced learning environments – a canopy can be transformed into a vibrant outdoor classroom which can be especially beneficial for subjects like science, art, and physical education.
- Improved well-being – access to fresh air and natural light can actually enhance cognitive development, as well as improve mood and reduce stress.
- Aesthetic appeal – a well-designed canopy can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your school, creating a more welcoming and attractive environment!
Hear From One of Our Experts About The Environmental Benefits of a Canopy…
Still not convinced that an outdoor canopy could help your school be more sustainable? One of our canopy experts says this about our range of sustainable canopies:
“We pride ourselves on only using the highest quality materials with our product range. This means our canopies have a long life expectancy and won’t need replacing unlike some ‘off the shelf’ options on the market.”
Check out our full canopy range for infinite outdoor ideas!
Invest in a Sustainable School With A&S Landscape!
Hopefully, this blog has taught you all you need to know about how to make a school sustainable. Extending beyond just environmental impacts, investing in an outdoor canopy for your school has plenty of educational benefits and can help to promote a healthier school environment.
Here at A&S Landscape, we are truly passionate about the design and installation of bespoke outdoor canopies. We’ve got almost 50 years worth of industry experience, which is why you can rely on us to guide you through your next school project.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. A member of our friendly team will be more than happy to get back to you. Or, give us a call on 01743 444 100 today!
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