George Spencer Academy in Nottinghamshire Adds Fabric Canopy

What was the project brief?

George Spencer Academy in Stapleford wanted a fabric canopy to make its grounds look more appealing and provide shelter, so bad weather wouldn’t stop its staff and students from getting outdoors. It hoped to find something designed to withstand the elements, with classic colours that wouldn’t detract from the look of its other facilities. We were thrilled when the team contacted us here at A&S Landscape and we began the journey to building their ideal canopy.

What was our fabric canopy solution?

After consulting carefully with George Spencer Academy, we supplied them with a Maxima Tepee™ made up of two modules and measuring an overall size of 14000mm X 7000mm. This model has all the weather protection they needed, thanks to its clever integral gutter system and waterproof, UV resistant and even fire-retardant fabric. We added a Light Grey roof and Jet Black steelwork for a simple but elegant feel that matched the school’s architecture, and the double module design elevated this to an impressive-looking standalone structure that refreshed the outdoor space. It also created an area where students could do everything from eating to playing games or socialising in the fresh air.

What was the result of the shelter?

George Spencer Academy loves its new canopy; it has been an invaluable addition to the outdoor facilities and its community is a fan of the attractive modular design. The odd shower or windy day will now no longer be an obstacle for learners needing a breather outside between the stresses of studying, and the shelter can have additional uses for dining, or even an outdoor classroom gazebo. What’s more, the areas available outside the classrooms are now more diverse and students can enjoy more freedom during their essential break times. We were glad to hear that our model will serve this institution’s needs well for many years to come.

About the client

George Spencer Academy is known for providing high-quality education and was recognised by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ with grade 1 across all inspection categories in 2015. It is a founding member of the Spencer Academies Trust, a multi-academy trust with institutions across the East Midlands. It also offers a Sixth Form, which includes an Enrichment Programme to help young people develop transferable skills for future employment. Assisting this client was an enjoyable experience and we look forward to hearing about their bright future.

George Spencer Academy is located in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, near the geographic centre of England and Wales. This community-based town is surrounded by countryside and benefits from its close proximity to Nottingham – famous for the legend of Robin Hood and full of fascinating attractions like the City of Caves and Nottingham Castle. This is surely a wonderful part of the country for young people to live and learn in, like our customer’s students.

How can shelters expand school provision?

Institutions can feel under pressure from the need to cater for more school places and improve their facilities within limited budgets. Building sheltered areas outside can be a cost-effective solution, as they can be used to create outdoor dining canopies or standalone catering and dining hubs to alleviate overcrowding at lunchtimes. Covered MUGA™ can provide brand-new, top-quality spaces for large numbers of students to enjoy playing a range of sports, and shelters can be used as outdoor classrooms which provide children with access to different environments, as well as essential room for learning. To find out more, email us at [email protected] now.

How can I see the commitment A&S Landscape has to its customers?

Our clients are incredibly important to us; we believe in building relationships with every one of them based on trust and achieving commitments. You can hear from our past customers in a range of sectors – everything from primary schools and colleges to hospitals – on our Testimonials page, where they talk about our great value, communication, service and product quality.

Also, we’re proud to have a Net Promoter Score® of 83, which is a valuable reference point for customers to see how committed we are to meeting their needs, compared to other businesses. Our score is almost double the average of 45 in our sector of construction, and this achievement is especially meaningful to us because we’ve continued to receive positive feedback through projects short and long, difficult and more straightforward. Whatever the canopy or client, we strive to deliver our very best.

Do you want to explore the possibilities of a future shelter project with us? Talk it over with our canopy and shelter specialists by calling 01743 444100 today.