The Mary Bassett Lower School in Bedfordshire Install New Canopy Cover

What was the project brief?

The Mary Bassett Lower School in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, has some lovely grounds in which the children can learn and play. With a commitment to broadening their pupils’ exposure to arts, science and culture, their outdoor spaces are extremely important. The school approached A&S Landscape with a brief to create a sheltered area next to the school building so that they could provide more opportunity to utilise their outdoor spaces.

What was our solution?

The Mary Bassett Lower School had already earmarked the location for their new canopy cover. They knew what they wanted to achieve: an area for multiple use to increase the amount of time that activities could be carried out in the outdoors. Working with the A&S Landscape design team, the school’s chosen solution was the installation of a Motiva Linear™ canopy cover.

This particular product enabled A&S Landscape to model a straight roof canopy along the side of the existing school building and create a technical specification tailored to the school’s needs. This gave a considerable run of shelter without encroaching on to the grassed area adjacent to the site. The Motiva Linear™ is a great product if you’re looking to create a covered walkway on your site too.

What was the result?

The resulting effect was similar to a traditional lean to shelter but with a very definite modern twist. Fabricated from a solid steel shelter frame coated in our Trademarked Dura-Coat™ finish, the pillars were coloured in Signal Green RAL (6032). The roof was topped off with clear polycarbonate, which is a durable, low maintenance material.

The finished article offered a great source of cover and shade in a permanent position, providing shelter beneath for outdoor learning and play, and for storing equipment from the elements. The great thing about a canopy cover of this type is that it can also be used during school fairs and other events, without the need to have to think about separate event shelters. The versatile space created underneath is perfect for setting up stalls and stands at any school event.

The overall look of the finished project was of a light, bright open space. The careful calculation of the design meant that the location of the steel canopy uprights did not negatively impact the existing space beneath.

Testimonials/Client Feedback

A&S Landscape received some lovely feedback from the management of The Mary Bassett Lower School. They said:

‘We are really thrilled about the work. The team who came to install the canopy were so friendly, polite and considerate.’

About the client

The Mary Bassett Lower School offers a wealth of learning opportunities to children in the local area. As well as a pre-school group, they teach children from reception through to year four. They foster a real sense of community amongst their pupils, and even have their own song: ‘The Mary Bassett Way’.

The school places high regard on the health and wellbeing of pupils and staff and has a commitment to physical and mental health. There is a whole movement in ecotherapy that is actively recognising the importance of the outdoors on mental good health. The desire to maximise access to outside space for children from a young age because of its positive benefits is often a driver for schools exploring canopy cover ideas.

Why invest in a canopy cover?

If your school is considering the installation of a canopy cover, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, here are the top five benefits we know your school will gain from going ahead:

1. You’ll create a multi-functional space that, with the use of a little creativity, can be used for a whole host of things.
2. Located in the right place, you can save money by avoiding the need to buy temporary event shelters. Your new canopy cover can be used instead.
3. If like The Mary Bassett Lower School, your school offers before and after school clubs, the range of fun activities that you can provide is increased by creating additional outside space. The positive influence of these clubs is widely recognised, and enhancing your offering can only be a good thing.
4. Come rain or shine, the children love to be outside. Adding a waterproof awning or canopy cover will enhance their experience of the outdoors and have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
5. Unlike standard garden shelter ideas that you might have seen before, there is a range of adaptable designs and products that can cater to just about any site.

Why choose A&S Landscape?

A&S Landscape offers an end to end service. From the moment that you make contact, to the point that you sign off on the installation, we are with you at every step of the way. Our team are always on hand to answer your questions, and if you want to talk to previous clients about the work that we have done for them, we’re more than happy to facilitate this.

If you’d like to know more about the range of organisations and sectors that we have worked with, you can find out more here. Our aim is always to find the very best solutions to the challenges that you have on your particular site. We recognise that every customer and every site is different.

If you’d like to discuss how we can help you find the right outdoor cover, get in touch with our friendly team on 01743 444100 or at [email protected].

Read about some of the other projects we have completed in Bedfordshire

Fabric Umbrella Shade Designed for Biddenham International School

Working alongside our building contractor client our engineers constructed a playground umbrella for Biddenham International School And Sports College, Biddenham Turn, Bedford, Bedfordshire. The contract included the supply and fitting of one Maxima™ waterproof Umbrella structure supported on a single upright measuring 7000mm X 7000mm.

Sharnbrook Academy Add Two Umbrella Canopies to Campus

We created two umbrellas at Sharnbrook Academy Federation, Odell Road, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The full contract involved two Maxima™ waterproof Umbrella structures supported on a single upright measuring 8000mm X 8000mm.

Roecroft Lower School Add Wave Roof Canopy to Playground

We built a wave canopy in Roecroft Lower School, Buttercup Road, Stortford, Bedfordshire. The full contract involved one Motiva™ Wave monopitch curved roof canopy measuring 5100mm X 4000mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Polycarbonate Roof Shelter Manufactured for Challney High School

Working with our building contractor client A&S erected system 60 roofing for Challney High School, Stoneygate Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The contract included System 60 roofing measuring 31960mm X 2258mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Fabric Shade Sail Structure Made for Someries Junior School

A&S produced a playground umbrella in Someries Junior School, Luton, Bedfordshire. The contract included the supply and installation of one Maxima™ waterproof Umbrella structure supported on a single upright measuring 5000mm X 5000mm and post protector.

Cardinal Newman School Add Cantilever Canopy to Play Area

In combination with our building contractor client our engineers designed a cantilever canopy at Cardinal Newman School, Luton, Bedfordshire. The full contract involved one Motiva™ Cantilever straight glass roof canopy measuring 3000mm X 1500mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.