John Taylor High School in Staffordshire Add External Dining Area Canopy

What was the project brief?

John Taylor High School, located in Barton-under-Needwood, near Burton Upon Trent, is an outstanding school delivering education to pupils between the ages of 11 and 18. A large school with a capacity for 1,800 pupils, life on campus is busy.

Often a challenge during the course of a busy school day, many schools experience pressure on facilities such as dining room areas. Whilst this may seem like a dilemma, there is a very practical solution. John Taylor High School recognised that there was actually an opportunity in this challenge. Having an area on the school campus that they could use in a different way, they approached A&S Landscape with the brief for a canopy cover that would ‘create a dining space with some wow factor’. Their plan was also to include bespoke bench seating to accommodate a good number of pupils.

This is a great starting point upon which to build, and A&S Landscape knew that there was plenty of scope to achieve that ‘wow factor’ that the school wanted from the project.

What was our outdoor dining canopy solution?

A&S Landscape knew from the outset that the ‘wow factor’ was important, but in order to scope out a solid plan to deliver on this, first was the need to understand the area of space to be utilised. Once a survey was undertaken to produce accurate dimensions, and evaluate existing structures in the vicinity, and the pupil flow through the area was understood, our expert team were much better able to advise on options.

Given all of these aspects, our recommended dining shelter solution was the Motiva Duo™ canopy. This product represents a fabulous option for outdoor dining canopies. With its curved ‘duopitch’ roofline it’s a great canopy structure for a variety of uses, but when it comes to outdoor dining areas, it’s a really versatile choice.

With the shelter solution covered, our team also had to consider the other element of the project brief: seating. John Taylor High School was very specific about including this in the brief, and we were happy to oblige! With the Motiva Duo™ being a popular choice for outdoor dining canopies, we also offer a tried and tested bench solution too. Our Hercules bench is a truly sturdy product, built to the same high standards as our canopies. It has been specifically manufactured with busy secondary school, college and public shelter amenities in mind. Each bench is built with the aim of seating up to eight people, and measures 2000 mm X 1500 mm. The design can be varied to accommodate wheelchair use too and is built to fit perfectly with the overhead canopy architecture.

What was the result of their new outdoor dining canopy?

The completed outdoor dining area canopy installation delivered an impressive steel shelter frame canopy, with a substantial amount of bench seating beneath. With a fully waterproof cover above and robust and ergonomic seating below, this new dining canopy enables pupils to use the space all year round. The ultimate result is a more efficient campus with a structure that improves the environment and adds value to the students’ experience of day to day school life.

The Benefits of Eating Outdoors and The Impact on Mental Health

Spending time outdoors increases Vitamin D levels (an important hormone that helps to protect against a series of diseases such as osteoporosis, depression, heart attacks and stroke). It is stated in studies that many of us do not get an adequate amount of this important vitamin, so more time outside is vital to help deal with this deficiency.

With the longest break in the school day being the lunch break, a great remedy is alfresco dining. More and more schools are developing their outdoor areas, erecting outdoor dining spaces, with canopies, shade sails, umbrellas and even enclosed outdoor dining rooms. With rising pupil numbers, this is a solution to the increased pressure that existing dining rooms come under as schools grow.

Continue reading our blog post to explore how schools can resolve this issue and let their students to spend more time outdoors.

About the client

John Taylor High School is more than just a large village school delivering outstanding education to local pupils. It is also the home to the National Forest Teaching School. This organisation is a partnership of schools in the Derby and Burton on Trent areas. The aim of the partnership is to offer staff within the member schools training opportunities, involvement in research and development projects, as well as giving new teachers wonderful opportunities to learn in a supportive environment. As it states on the National Forest Teaching School website: ‘The opportunities are limitless’.

Ranked by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ John Taylor High School has been recognised in the media as a top-class school.

Why invest in an outdoor dining canopy?

There are a range of physical and mental health benefits to dining outside, so not only is there an ergonomic benefit to your school campus of installing an outdoor dining canopy, but the following additional benefits are also derived by your pupils getting outside more:

• With much more focused work using a computer or other media screen, a definite break away into the fresh air reinvigorates pupils and rests their eyes ready for their next round of lessons
• Our main source of Vitamin D comes from sunlight. This essential vitamin is important to maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscle. Even more important in growing school children.
• Breaking away from the normal confines of the school building generates a definite break, helping pupils to feel more refreshed.
• Escaping the hustle and bustle of a noisy school canteen can be calming and means lunch breaks are less rushed.

Why choose A&S Landscape for your outdoor dining canopy?

As accredited industry leaders in the design and installation of shelter solutions for commercial school projects, we bring our clients a vast amount of knowledge and expertise. Our product range is extensive, with different canopy structure options to cover just about any project brief. If, on browsing our website, you don’t immediately see what you have in mind for your school campus, chatting to our friendly team is recommended. We have completed a wide range of completely bespoke projects that have required more than an ‘off-the-peg’ solution. From timber constructions to glazed cantilever canopies, we are always happy to work alongside you to build the concept specific to your vision.

If you’d like to know more about A&S Landscape and how we can help you find the right outdoor shelter solution with the ‘wow factor’, get in touch with our friendly team on 01743 444100 or at [email protected].

Read about more of our projects completed in Staffordshire

Blessed William Howard Catholic High School Add Fabric Shade Sail

We constructed a shade sail structure in Blessed William Howard Catholic High School Rowley Avenue, Stafford, Staffordshire. The contract included one 11700mm x 7100mm x 7200mm Maxima™ tensile shade cloth fabric sail structure comprising of one triangle sail on three uprights including for all stainless steel fixtures and fittings.

Straight Roof Shelter Manufactured for St Stephens Primary School

In combination with our building contractor client our engineers produced a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at St Stephens Primary School Fradley, Lichfield, Staffordshire. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 8550mm X 4000m and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Covered Walkway Added to Aurora Hanley School

Our team made a straight polycarbonate roof canopy at Aurora Hanley School Bucknall, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire. The contract included the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight coloured polycarbonate roof canopy measuring 21600mm X 1800/2400mm with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Marshbrook First School Add Fabric Tepee Shelter

A&S erected a tensile fabric roof Tepee for Marshbrook First School Penkridge, Stafford, Staffordshire. The job involved the supply and installation of one Maxima Tepee™ tensile waterproof fabric roof structure measuring 5000mm X 5000mm and four post protector pads.

Entrance Canopies Designed for May Bank Primary School

In combination with our building contractor client our team made two entrance canopies and a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in May Bank Primary School Basford Park Road, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire. The full contract involved supply and installation of three canopies. One Motiva Entro™ straight roof canopy measuring 2600mm X 1500mm, one Motiva Entro™ straight roof canopy measuring 3000mm X 2700mm, one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 6000mm X 4000mm and six post pads.  All canopies included with Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Merryfields School Add Straight Roof Canopy to Playground

In collaboration with our building contractor client our team produced a straight polycarbonate roof canopy in Merryfields School Newcastle, Staffordshire. The job involved the supply and installation of one Motiva™ monopitch straight roof canopy measuring 9375mm X 3600mm and six post protector pads.