Whitley Academy in the West Midlands Adds Shade Sails

What was the project brief?

Whitley Academy in Coventry wanted to find a pair of shade sails to cover its picnic area. They had to be waterproof so they could withstand the unpredictable British weather, allow students and staff to eat outside throughout the year, and have an exciting design that would give their outdoor facilities a significant boost. They also needed to have post protector pads to maximise safety and be large enough to shelter multiple people.

What was our picnic canopy solution?

The team at Whitley Academy loved the design of our Maxima StarSail™ canopies, so they contacted us to tackle this project. We added two of this model to their grounds, which is a popular choice with schools thanks to the fact that it has the longest guarantees in the market and a trendy look that combines some of the best features of different shelter designs. We made sure to install the fabric roofs with waterproof material that could hold up in the rain, so the weather wouldn’t decide if students could eat in the fresh air or not. Plus, the Slate Grey steelwork and Buttercup roofs created a striking contrast and pops of colour outside the school that made for a more attractive space. 5000mm X 5000mm specifications meant there was lots of room for everyone to enjoy dining undercover, and post protector pads ensured the canopies were safe and had a balanced look.

What was the result of the shade sails?

Students and staff alike at Whitley Academy love the two new shade sails; they work fantastically well covering the picnic area and the shelters offer significant benefits to the school by improving its outdoor areas. The waterproof sail shade design allows the space to be used whenever it’s needed and it can even reduce pressure on existing dining facilities during breaks in the school day. We were thrilled to be able to provide this academy with products that were useful for its entire community.

About the client

Whitley Academy is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form that offers a safe and encouraging environment where young people can thrive. It says on its website that it ‘provides opportunities for them to be creative, innovative and to enjoy their learning’. The academy also has many high-quality facilities – including a large, purpose-built sports hall, a conference room, a new auditorium and a sensory room. The staff were very welcoming and it was a pleasure to install their two shelters.

The school is located in Coventry, a previous UK City of Culture with something for everyone. There are many museums and galleries to visit with amazing sculptures, public works and local history, as well as open spaces to enjoy quality time with family and friends in the great outdoors. You can even explore world-famous theatre, experience unique arts and culture, and support your favourite sports team on the same day on a trip to Coventry.

In what other ways can schools utilise shade sails?

Shade sails are versatile canopies that can have many benefits for both primary and secondary schools. The former may find that they are excellent facilities to enable outdoor play in all weathers, as they can shield children from the rain in the spring and the sun’s UV rays in the summer. They can serve social or relaxation areas equally well at schools with older students, allowing them to fit getting more fresh air into their busy days studying, undertaking extracurricular activities and preparing for exams.

A use staff may not think of when considering purchasing a shade sail is that they can shelter parents when they are dropping off or waiting to pick up their children, which is a welcome addition to a school’s facilities. Shade sails can also revolutionise outdoor spaces and make them much more welcoming and colourful. Such a canopy structure can be used as an outdoor classroom shelter to broaden students’ learning experiences too.

Would you like to discover more about our range of shelters? Get in touch by emailing us at [email protected] now.

What sorts of sectors does A&S Landscape manufacture canopies for?

We work with a range of businesses and organisations – schools are certainly not the only sector that we enjoy supplying canopies to. We also install them at universities that may request them to help them accommodate more students during meal times and social periods, as well as healthcare sites that can use them as everything from ambulance shelters to dining canopies. Hospitality venues and public attractions can benefit from covered solutions too – as entrance canopies to spruce up their main buildings, for example. Give us a call on 01743 444100 today to hear more about our work with clients across the UK.

Read more about our other projects based in Coventry

Fabric Umbrella Canopies Made for Finham School

Working alongside the specialist building contractor we produced three umbrella canopies at Finham School, Coventry, Coventry.  The full contract involved three Maxima™ waterproof Umbrella structures supported on a single upright measuring 3000mm X 3000mm.

Park Gate School Add Curved Roof Canopy to Playground

Working with the specialist building contractor our engineers created a curved roof canopy in Park Gate School, Coventry, West Midlands. The job involved one Motiva Duo™ monopitch curved roof canopy measuring 8000mm X 2500mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Two Straight Roof Shelters Designed for Moat House Primary School

Our team produced two straight polycarbonate roof canopies for Moat House Primary School, Coventry, West Midlands. The contract included two Motiva Linear™ straight roof canopies each measuring 4150mm X 3300mm and included for our Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile guttering and downpipes in matching Dura-coat™ colour finish.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Add Two Fabric Canopies

Our team built two Maxima StarSail™ canopies in Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Brays Lane, Coventry, West Midlands. The full contract involved two Maxima StarSail™ tensile shadecloth fabric structure supported on a single upright measuring 4000mm X 4000mm and two post pads.

Our engineers produced six shadesails in Stivichall Primary School, Stivichal, Coventry, West Midlands. The full contract involved six Maxima™ tensile shade cloth fabric sails including for all stainless steel fixtures and fittings in various sizes.