What was the project brief?
Leeds West Academy, based in the city of Leeds, was trying to find the right shelter solutions to help create more options for outdoor seating. The team there wanted their school community to be able to enjoy the fresh air while dining, catching up with classmates, or relaxing between classes – no matter the weather. They thought that a trio of canopies would be the best way to achieve this, with a mix of polycarbonate and fabric designs to provide great variety for the students while still complementing the grounds and each other. Also, they wanted to purchase a collection of benches to go beneath them and build usable seating spaces immediately. A&S Landscape had lots of ideas to make the most out of this project.

What was the multiple-canopy solution?
They discussed Leeds West Academy’s needs and vision with their representatives, and after considering their advice and product range, they settled on two different models. The first was the Motiva Duo™ – the symmetric, duopitch curved roof variant which has both sides at the same height. This was just the right shape to cover two rows of benches and keep the rainy weather off of students when they were sitting outside. Thanks to Squirrel Grey steelwork and an Opal roof, the shelter looked unobtrusive but also very much at home on-site.

What’s more, they installed two Maxima Umbrella™ models, each measuring 5000mm X 5000mm to create canopies with a slightly different feel. The smart, fun design is ideally suited to covering outdoor seating areas because of this look and its durable fabric, and they combined White steelwork with Porcelain Green roofs for two classy shelters worthy of a secondary institution. The staff requested 45 of their recycled black plastic, heavy-duty picnic benches to go beneath the three canopies, which they were very happy to supply.

What was the result of the new shelters?
The outdoor seating canopies have given the students at Leeds West Academy the opportunity to get outside every day, regardless of the season. They can now sit on sturdy benches and chat with friends, refuel with healthy snacks at break time, or eat their lunch beneath a range of appealing shelters that can stand up against the rain and wind. Though sporting different colouring and materials, the polycarbonate and tensile fabric canopies make for a wonderful atmosphere and work well together. They thoroughly enjoyed seeing this collection of their products being used and appreciated by this community.

About the client
Leeds West Academy is proud to have been awarded a ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement in May 2019, and it is committed to being ‘a transformational place of learning at the heart of its community’. It is an original academy of The White Rose Academies Trust, which has a ‘can do’ positive approach of high aspirations and ambition. Plus, the school sees its curriculum as a pathway for progress that challenges its students at the appropriate level. The staff here were a pleasure to work with and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.

Leeds is the unofficial capital of Yorkshire and a city of contrasts. It is a great destination for retail –with popular brands and Victorian arcades – it has a brilliant independent food scene, and it is home to a thriving creative community of theatre, dance, festivals and more. Local schoolchildren, their families and visitors alike can all find something to entertain them in Leeds.

How can getting outdoors help children to learn more readily?
Regular contact with the outdoors clearly has a positive effect on people’s happiness, and it has been well-researched with surveys from organisations like the National Trust. Institutions and academies can work this into their architecture and curriculum with things like outdoor lessons, outdoor seating and starting forest schools, so children can benefit from it all year long. Research has found that there is a significant correlation between happiness and academic success, so doing this may result in improved grades and greater enjoyment of learning.

Would you like to explore these possibilities by having a shelter installed for year-round outdoor coverage? Contact them today by calling 01743 444100 or emailing at sales@aandslandscape.com.

What sectors does A&S Landscape supply canopies to?
They have an extensive client list due to their experience as canopy and shelter specialists, which varies from primary institutions that might be in need of coverage on their playgrounds to garden centres looking to make their facilities more appealing to visitors browsing outside in bad weather. They’d love to discuss your requirements in more detail with you, so give the team a call on 01743 444100 now.