Dean Trust Ardwick in Greater Manchester add Large Dining Shelter

What was the project brief?

Dean Trust Ardwick in Manchester needed more shelter for students spending their break times and lunchtimes outside. They decided that a canopy was the best way to go, but they wanted a model that could offer maximum protection from wind and rain with a sleek, modern design that was large enough to create a space for many children to enjoy. A&S Landscape knew exactly how to move forward when they were contacted by this institution.

What was our dining canopy solution?

The school’s team discussed the different models available and their strengths, before choosing to have a Motiva Duo™ installed. A&S Landscape had previously supplied Dean Trust Ardwick with a pair of straight roof canopies to be used year-round by students socialising and learning outdoors, so the staff knew that their products were high-quality and would suit their requirements.

They decided on Opal polycarbonate for the roof and Anthracite Grey for the steelwork to perfectly match their other shelters and enhance the modern aesthetic at the school. The Motiva Duo™, with its duopitch curved roof, created a fantastic free standing canopy that could shield students from the elements while getting some fresh air during breaks from class. Also, the 19000mm X 9000mm specifications provided a substantial area where children could enjoy eating outdoors, and the 10 post protector pads increased the shelter’s safety and style.

What was the result of the shelter?

The dining canopy was the ideal addition to Dean Trust Ardwick’s outdoor facilities; it looks fantastic next to their existing buildings and it has opened up opportunities for children to spend break times outside throughout the year, whether they want to eat or chat with friends. This canopy could be used in other ways too, as its impressive coverage could offer many outdoor classroom ideas to staff who want to change up their teaching routine. A&S Landscape thought that it was a pleasure to work with the team at this school again and would love to supply them with future shelters, should they need more!

About the client

Dean Trust Ardwick is a secondary school based in Longsight, Manchester which opened in September 2015. It has become a school of choice in the local area and Ofsted judged it to be Good in 2018, thanks to its ‘relentless pursuit of excellence’. It is also part of the Dean Trust which is developing a family of schools and academies to offer children the very best education possible.  Dean Trust Ardwick says on their website that they prepare their students for modern British life by ‘equipping them with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to become successful adults in an increasingly demanding world’. A&S Landscape enjoyed providing this passionate institution with a third canopy and is thrilled that it has helped to expand outdoor provisions for the young people learning there.

Manchester is bursting with attractions to keep the students of Dean Trust Ardwick busy and engaged with local culture. The world’s first industrial city now boasts many excellent museums, Old Trafford football stadium, and Rusholme’s curry mile – which features around 70 Indian restaurants! It is close to the Cheshire countryside so families can easily keep active, and the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Chill Factore offer fun days out for children of a range of ages.

How can eating outside benefit young people’s health?

With all the technological distractions of the modern world, it is more important than ever to try and fit more time outdoors into children’s lives. Installing dining canopies is an excellent way to add this to the school day by encouraging them to eat in the fresh air in any weather, but how does this benefit their health?

• Increased Vitamin D levels – sunlight causes our bodies to create Vitamin D, which is known to help protect against many diseases, including strokes, heart attacks and osteoporosis. Many children spending the majority of their days learning inside don’t get enough of this vitamin, so eating outdoors can boost their levels.
• Better mental health – getting outdoors more often has long been linked to improving wellbeing. Enjoying lunch in the fresh air under a dining shelter can provide students with a much-needed break from the environment of indoor classrooms, which can have a negative effect on mental health. Exposure to natural light has also been associated with stimulating serotonin and a resulting decrease in depression and anxiety.
• Improved performance in school – learning can be stressful, and enjoying school more and receiving better grades reduces the negative impact on children. Having a safe space outside to relax and socialise with friends at break time alleviates the pressures of studying, and being outdoors can even help students with ADHD to focus better in class. This can all contribute to better wellbeing and, in turn, academic performance.

If you want to give students at your school more opportunities to eat outside, why not contact us to discuss installing a dining shelter? Simply email us at [email protected] now.

What experience does A&S Landscape have of working with schools?

We have been supplying canopies to schools for over 40 years, from primary and secondary schools to other institutions like nurseries and colleges. Whether you’re after a wooden outdoor classroom or a playground shelter, you can trust that we are a well-established company working with the school sector and have many clients under our belt. Contact us by calling 01743 444100 or emailing [email protected] today to discuss your school’s needs with our friendly team.

Read about more of our projects based in Manchester

Fabric Canopies Added to Playground of St Clare’s RC Primary School

Our engineers built three StarSails for St Clare’s RC Primary School Manchester, Greater Manchester.  The job involved the supply and installation of four StarSails. One Maxima StarSail™ tensile shadecloth fabric structure supported on a single upright measuring 6000mm X 6000mm, two Maxima StarSail™ tensile shadecloth fabric structures each supported on a single upright measuring 5000mm X 5000mm and one Maxima StarSail™ tensile shadecloth fabric structure supported on a single upright measuring 6000mm X 6000mm. In addition to this there were also four post protector pads and a two 3 seater bench.

Droylsden Academy Add Cover to Multi-Use Games Area

A&S made a Covered MUGA™ canopy in Droylsden Academy Manor Road, Droylsden, Manchester. The job involved one Motiva Covered MUGA™ duopitch straight roof canopy measuring 28000mm X 14000mm.

Our Lady’s RC High School Add Curved Roof Shelter to Campus

Our engineers erected a curved roof canopy for Our Lady’s RC High School – Extension To Existing Canopy Alworth Road, Blackley, Manchester. The full contract involved one Motiva Mono™ monopitch curved roof canopy measuring 6000mm X 2500mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish. Supply and installation of a glazed panel to  the side elevation and the installation of seven existing glazed panels to the new and old canopy, replacing the old polycarbonate sheeting with new.

Enclosed Dining Shelter Designed for St Cuthbert’s RC High School

We designed a curved roof canopy with roller shutters at St Cuthbert’s RC High School Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The contract included one Motiva Duo™ duopitch curved roof canopy measuring 16600mm X 7000mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes which were coated in a matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.  This included for the formation of bases, backfill and making good of the surfaces. Supply and install two 4700mm and one 2512mm wide electrically operated roller shutter doors and the rest of the sides with glazed panels.