A bespoke Motiva steel and polycarbonate dining canopy structure now provides the school with a valuable outdoor dining space. The Opal roofing allows sunlight through while providing protection against UV rays. What’s more, is that a side of glass panels was also added to the canopy to give students extra shelter from the elements. Whitecross High School, in Herefordshire, chose a modern Iron Grey RAL colour for the framework, which works perfectly with the surrounding buildings.

Drawing designed for Whitecross High School



The area can be used by the students to eat, relax, socialise and refresh before their afternoon lessons. Giving students the opportunity to spend time outdoors is important for several reasons and can have a positive impact on the entire school. This bespoke canopy allows the students to enjoy the fresh air throughout the year, come rain or shine. Whitecross High School successfully found a cost-effective solution to their problem, without having to build a formal building. We’ve also installed other school canopies in Herefordshire, at Ledbury Primary School and St Peter’s Primary School.

Thanks to A&S Landscape's design, manufacturing and installation process they create bespoke canopies to suit specific requirements. They can accommodate your specific preferences, as they can manufacture to any given dimension. They can also make their Maxima products bespoke to your needs, from Shade Sails to Umbrellas. Take a look at their gallery to get inspiration for your next project, or see how they can take your idea from concept to completion.

Is dining outdoors a privilege or essential to school children?
There are a variety of established benefits to eating outside as a part of the school day. As pupils spend the whole day in a classroom environment, it is integral that they are given time to breathe at lunchtime. In spending this break outside, it not only provides a calming environment but can also reduce levels of hyperactivity in a pupil. If a student is forced to occupy their break indoors, it can emulate the classroom setting and prevent them from taking a suitable amount of time to relax. Eating outdoors is also a really sociable activity, unrestricted by the dining hall setting students can speak with other year groups easily.

Over on their blog you can see how schools can allow their students to dine outside regularly – click here.