Play & Learn Outdoors: June 2024

Play & Learn Outdoors

WELCOMETOTHEJUNEEDITION OF PLAY & LEARN OUTDOORS

We've made it to June and the sun is shining however, we are expecting lot's of rain for the foreseeable It's therefore a great idea to make the most of your existing canopy or, if you don't have one yet, get in touch and we can help you continue to take your lessons outdoor this summer, even with the expected rainfall

This edition of P&LO is full with outdoor play and learning ideas, funding tips, and inspiration for your outdoor area

CONTENTS

When you get a chance, take a break, sit back, relax with your favorite drink and have a flick through this edition of P&LO. Hopefully you'll be able to take some ideas back to the classroom to enable you and your pupils to enjoy the great outdoors throughout the summer without getting wet

If you enjoy reading P&LO, why not pass a copy or two onto your colleagues to also enjoy?If they would like to receive their own

copies, email us at: marketing@ablecanopies co uk and we'll add them to the list

Enjoy the summer and we'll be back in the autumn for more ideas and inspiration

Best Wishes

Tr a

c y

Mea kins Managing Director

Par

p

It?s so helpful to be part of a community of like-minded people who talk about something that interests you and supports your profession However, being a teacher doesn? t leave you with much time to go to regular meets outside of your career and personal life That?s why we have created a Facebook group where

you can meet like-minded people, fellow teachers and education specialists online to discuss any ideas and tips you have for outdoor play and learning ideas, all from the comfort of your home or staff room

The idea of this online group is so that you can gather and share ideas, discuss what has worked for you and what didn?t, saving you and others time, and enabling you to hold outdoor sessions that work out perfectly for both you and your

pupils

How can you join the group?If you have a Facebook profile, it?s really simple, search Out door Play & Learning Ideas for Schools UK in Facebook, click the join button, answer the questions, hit submit, and you?re in!

We?d absolutely love to have you join us and we?d love even more to turn this into a UK wide, bustling community for teachers and education professionals to engage and offer support and advice

SMART FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES

Creating vibrant outdoor areas in educational settings

not only enriches the learning experience for students but also leaves a lasting positive impression on parents and visitors From enhancing interaction skills to boosting outdoor learning, the benefits are great However, acquiring the necessary funds for such enhancements often requires significant time, organisation, and dedication To assist you in this endeavour, we?ve gathered a selection of fundraising ideas to help boost your playground budget without overwhelming commitment.

Engaging t he

Com m unit y w it h

St udent -Led Fundraising

Involving students in fundraising activities is not only effective but also incredibly rewarding It fosters a sense of community, encourages family involvement, and gives students a sense of ownership over their school environment. Engage students in brainstorming sessions for fundraising ideas and involve them in promotional efforts, such as designing event flyers.

Innovat ive Fundraising Ideas t o Kickst art Your Effort s:

Car Wash Fundraiser:

A car wash event can be a goldmine. Most parents and community members struggle to find the time for such chores, and a nominal fee like £5 can accumulate to a significant sum. Rather than a occasional event, why not establish a monthly car wash? This regularity not only builds a steady stream of funds but can also turn your event into a community staple, attracting a wider audience

Local Business Part nerships:

Never underestimate the power of asking Reach out to local businesses for donations towards your outdoor projects In return, offer them publicity by featuring their

contributions in local press coverage

Grow your funds:

Embrace the green-finger approach by selling fruits and vegetables grown by students This not only contributes to your funds but also educates students on the value of sustainable living Offer these fresh picks at competitive prices to entice the school community, making it a recurring event for consistent fundraising

Walk-a-t hon:

Organise a sponsored walk at the start of each term, inviting students and their families to participate This fosters community spirit and promotes healthy living, all while raising funds through sponsorships Enhance the day with refreshments or a mini-fair to boost fundraising efforts further.

COST EFFECTIVE SCHOOL EXTENSIONS: OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS

Now more than ever, schools such as yours are in need of more space and with lots going on with government regulations and health and safety issues, many schools are finding themselves needing the extra space quickly, so they can continue their lessons uninterrupted

The obvious answer is to build a permanent extension however, that can be extremely costly, with long timescales, not to mention the disruption they can cause So, what?s the answer?Outdoor Classrooms of course!

What is an Out door Classroom ?

An outdoor classroom is a canopy complete with side and front panels with secure lockable doors They are extremely popular with schools that wish to add teaching space that can be used all year round yet are on tight budgets, or need a quick solution.

They can be installed as freestanding structures anywhere within your school grounds, or mounted onto your existing building. They feature a choice of construction materials including aluminium outdoor classrooms, steel outdoor

classrooms and timber outdoor classrooms The designs include mono-pitch structures as well as curved and domed roofs which is particularly attractive on the timber outdoor classrooms

Why Choose an Out door Classroom ?

There are so many reasons to invest in outdoor classrooms however, the most crucial for this conversation would be because our outdoor classrooms take a matter of days to install and are a fraction of the price of an extension, they are the perfect solution for a quick turnaround

As mentioned in the section above, there are so many design choices with our outdoor classrooms that you are sure to find a design that fits in with your outside area perfectly There are also many colours to choose from including bright and zesty to subtle and mellow, which means your outdoor classroom can either blend in with its surroundings effortlessly or you can create a striking focal point with contrasting colours. They are also supplied with up to 25-year life expectancies so you know your investment will

be more than worthwhile and serve your school for many years to come

Why Choose Able Canopies?

Able Canopies have been supplying and installing commercial canopies and outdoor classrooms for 19 years, specialising in the education marketing Over the years we have gained a customer base of thousands with many of them returning again and again to add more shade and shelter to their grounds

We hold all the major certifications and health and safety requirements including ISO9001, ISO1400, ISO45001, ConstructionLine Gold, Acclaim Accreditation, Safe Contractor and all our canopies are CEmarked

What Out door Classroom s are Available?

There are three structures available within our range however, we can also create bespoke outdoor classrooms based on your requirements. Our standard range includes freestanding outdoor classrooms and wall mounted outdoor classrooms, please see below for further information.

Welford Dom e

Junior

Modular

Out door

Classroom

The Welford Dome Junior Modular Outdoor Classroom is a cost effective, free standing outdoor classroom that is perfect for use within primary schools and academies.

The frame is constructed from a strong steel frame that is available galvanised and powder coated for ultimate corrosion protection and to ensure it fits in with your school branding colours.

You can choose from polycarbonate side panels, roller shutters and uPVC/ aluminium doors to enclose and secure it

Tarnhow Tim ber

Modular Out door

Classroom

Our Timber Modular Outdoor Classrooms feature attractive Glulam timber frames for a natural finish and are available in both wall mounted and freestanding designs

There are five structures in total for you to choose from which feature a choice of straight and attractive curved Glulam timber beams to suit your outdoor environment.

You can enclose them with a choice of timber side panels, polycarbonate side panels, or secure roller shutters with a range of different door designs.

Conist on Wall

Mount

ed Modular

Out door Classroom

The Coniston Modular Outdoor Classroom is a wall mounted canopy structure that can also be installed as freestanding canopy and is enclosed with polycarbonate side panels

The frame is manufactured from strong aluminium bars that are naturally rust resistant and can be finished in any RAL colour to suit your outdoor setting.

The roof is covered with 35mm structured polycarbonate panels that are vandal and shatter resistant and offers the best insulation properties available.

THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR PLAY

In an age where screens often dominate leisure time, the importance of outdoor play for children cannot be overstated Here, we explore the top 10 reasons why outdoor play is not just beneficial but essential for the development and well-being of children

St im ulat es Creat ivit y: The natural world is a playground for creativity With elements like rocks, dirt, twigs, and moss, children can have limitless play scenarios? from exploring African safaris to embarking on underwater adventures

Engages All Senses:

Outdoor play is an enriching multi-sensory experience. Children engage their senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch, discovering the wonders of nature, such as the aroma of freshly cut grass and the vibrant colours of a rainbow.

Encourages Open-Ended Play:

The lack of structured rules outdoors encourages children to explore freely, make their own games, and learn to manage risks, learning independence and imaginative play.

Im proves Focus & Reduces Anxiet y:

Time spent outdoors allows children to unwind and relax This not only helps reduce anxiety but also enhances attention spans, leading to more effective classroom learning upon their return

boost children?s immune systems, making them healthier and more prepared to tackle classroom challenges

Enhances Problem -Solving Skills:

The outdoors presents unique challenges and problems, prompting children to think critically and develop effective problem-solving strategies

Prom ot es Leadership Skills: Informal outdoor settings often see the emergence of natural leaders. Children learn to take initiative, whether by leading a game or navigating challenges, cultivating valuable leadership qualities.

Boost s List ening & Com m unicat ion:

Outdoor play requires active listening and communication as children engage in group activities, expanding their vocabulary and social skills in the process.

St rengt hens Im m une

Syst em s:

Increased physical activity and exposure to the outdoors

Brings Lessons t o Life: Concepts learned in the classroom can be reinforced and experienced firsthand outdoors, making learning more tangible and exciting Out door play is fun!: Above all, children love playing outside The joy and freedom experienced in open spaces contribute to happier, more engaged, and eager learners, both in and out of the classroom

Building a Foundat ion for Learning and Grow t h

Able Canopies is dedicated to supporting educators and caregivers in creating functional outdoor spaces that encourage play and learning, regardless of the weather Our school canopies are designed to offer children the freedom to explore the outdoors, embracing the benefits that come with it.

YOUR DREAM CANOPY IS POSSIBLE ? EVEN WITH RESTRICTED BUDGETS

Do you have the ultimate, dream canopy in mind but have discovered that your budget doesn? t cover it?That?s not a problem with Able Canopies. Because our canopies are made bespoke to your requirements and are all made to order, we can add to them when your new budgets are released, and you therefore have the spare funds

Similarly, if you invest in a canopy and find that the canopy is so well used that you?d like to extend it or add extras to it such as side panels for extra coverage, that?s also possible Our canopies are not final, once it?s installed, we can still add to it, so you end up with the perfect shade and shelter solution. We understand that like most situations, it?s hard to know what you need during the initial planning stage

School Out door Dining Canopy in Birm ingham

A great example is an academy in Birmingham who invested in a Coniston Free Standing

Canopy and found that they needed additional weather protection from driving rain and wind They therefore contacted us two years after the installation of their canopy so they could have canopy side and front panels added to enclose the canopy, adding further protection from the wet and windy weather

The canopy was used for outdoor dining and the side and front panels therefore gives the extra protection needed to encourage students to use the canopy more, freeing up much needed space in their dining room

To find out more about the canopy installed at Aston Manor Academy, visit our website and type 'Aston Manor' in the search bar

School Canopy Ext ensions

As mentioned above, we can also extend your canopy at a later date depending on the canopy installed. The Coniston

for example, which can be a free-standing canopy or a wall mounted canopy, can be extended no problem In fact, we have extended it many times, including at The Hermitage School in Surrey (pictured below) where we first installed a canopy in 2017, which we then extended a year later, then a year after that we installed another canopy, which we extended another 4 years later

This goes to show that the staff at The Hermitage School are very sensible when it comes to making the most of their school budgets They know that although they may not be able to afford the large canopy they need at the beginning, they can opt for a smaller canopy, as some cover is better than none, and then extend to the desired length when budgets allow This leaves them with the perfect shade and shelter solution without having to wait many years without any weather protection at all.

CASE STUDY: ENGAYNE PRIMARY SCHOOL SHADE SAILS

Product : Shade Sail Array

Size: Various from 6 3m x 3m to 6 1m x 4 9m Fabric Colours: 4no. Aquatic Blue sails

2no. Yellow sails

2no Bright Green sails

2no Cherry Red sails

Inst allat ion Dat e: Posts ? February 2024; Sails ? April 2024

Brief

Engayne Primary School is a local authority managed school in Upminster, Essex that caters for 630 pupils from the ages of 4 ? 11 years old. They provide exceptional learning environments and experiences for their children which create life-long learners and academic success.

The school is an existing customer of Able Canopies Ltd., having previously invested in a 26.3m x 4m Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy to provide shade and shelter along a number of their classrooms.

The school?s Site Manager got back in touch with us and explained that they were keen to add shade and shelter above their amphitheatre to protect pupils, teachers, and visitors from the sun

Proposal

The school?s staff loved the idea of our shade sails as they wanted something that was bright and colourful, to match the multicoloured steps they already had in place Our Area Sales Manager therefore got to work and designed a shade sail array based on their criteria.

Using the images provided, he mapped out post positions to mock up a design (as shown in the image above) using 11 posts and 8 sails with an array of triangular and square sails at approx. 3m x 3m. This was a draft design, and the final design would be finalised once we had been to site and took all measurements required.

We felt this was the best design to cover the steps and the school could choose

either the dual colour fabric, or an array of standard colours to create the bright, colourful outcome they were looking to achieve

Upon receiving our design proposal, the school told us they loved the design, so we therefore arranged a full site survey so we could provide them with a firm quotation Shade Sails are very popular within settings that would like shade and shelter from the sun, whilst creating a fun and colourful design that creates a striking focal point.

The shade sail fabric offers up to 96.5%protection from the sun?s harmful UVrays however, they do not provide shelter from the rain, so they are predominantly shade structures. This isn? t a problem as many schools and businesses opt for shade sails because, just like Engayne Primary School, they

plan to use them during the summer as a cooing, shaded area only

Solut ion

Once the full site survey had been completed, the design was altered slightly to ensure the array would fit the area perfectly, covering all sections

as required and making sure the posts fit around the steps of the amphitheatre (as shown above)

The school loved the design and went ahead with the order The posts were installed first in February 2024, with the installation of

the sails being completed in April 2024

The reason we install the posts first is because they need time to set When we install the sails, they are tensioned firmly to ensure they do not sag, and the posts therefore need to be firmly set within the concrete padstone in the ground

The school were so pleased with the end result, they left us a glowing review:

?I hadtowritetoAbleCanopiestothankall staff. I wouldfullyrecommendAbleCanopies. 5-star servicefromstarttofinish. Onbehalfoftheschool andour fundraisersaBIGTHANKYOU for ajobwell donefromstartto finish. Your communicationfromtheofficestaff, surveyorsandall installershavebeenanabsolute pleasuretodeal withyouall.

Our Headteacher andall staffareveryimpressedwithitall finishedandcannotwaittousethearea. Parentsandchildrenhaveall saidhowwowandhowgooditlooksandcannotwaittousethesteps againwiththeshadeinplace.?

- Keith Kendall, Site Manager

BENEFITSOFFOREST SCHOOL

Did you know that nearly three out of every four children don? t get even an hour of outdoor play each day?Given the benefits of embracing the outdoors, it?s surprising that not more people are taking advantage of it

Forest School becomes an exciting third educator and can support learning in many ways Children can learn fine motor skills, promote independence, and help raise self-esteem. This is all in a safe environment where there are no wrongs, so they don? t need to fear failure

The Role of Forest School in Child Developm ent Forest School serves as an innovative third teacher, enriching learning in numerous ways. It offers children the chance to develop fine motor skills, fosters independence, and boosts self-esteem? all within the embrace of nature, where mistakes are part of the learning process, not feared setbacks

Get t ing St art ed w it h Forest School

Launching a forest school is simpler than you might think

The essentials include a patch of land with trees and a certified forest school leader to ensure sessions are insured and safely conducted Planning and risk assessment tailored to different age groups form the backbone of the curriculum Younger children learn about setting boundaries and self-organisation, while older students engage in more complex activities like plant identification, wildlife spotting, and safe tool use. All children should have safety lessons Examples include how to collect materials, safe plants and using tools

Financial Advant ages of Forest School

Beyond the educational benefits, a forest school can be a savvy business move Institutions with forest schools often see increased enrolment and greater interest in after-school programmes, leading to enhanced revenue. These funds

can then be channelled back into the school, supporting further educational investments, staff training, and resources to enrich student learning experiences

Taking t he Leap

Forest school is a win-win: educators can expand their skill sets, children gain invaluable learning experiences outside the traditional classroom, and educational institutions benefit financially. Setting up a forest school requires effort and dedication, but the rewards? happier, healthier, more engaged learners? are immeasurably worth it Most forest school activities can be conducted under a school canopy, which is helpful in the winter months when the weather is unpredictable If you?re considering taking this exciting step, remember that the journey towards a more connected, outdoor-focused education can start small but lead to significant impacts on students?lives and the broader educational community.

Able Canopies: The Canopy Experts

Canopies & Covered Walkways

Cycle & Waiting Shelters

The Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy installed at Northfield School and Sports College in Yorkshire

Shade Sails & Tensile Structures

Able Canopies are the canopy experts We provide safe and stylish weather protection that transforms outside spaces

- Every year we complete hundreds of successful school canopy installations across the UK

- These canopies provide schools with effective shelter & areas for outdoor learning and dining

- We also work with universities and the retail, leisure & hospitality sectors to effectively transform outside space

- Our team of canopy experts work with schools, architects & contractors to ensure on time, on budget, project completion

- To ensure consistent high quality we control the design, manufacture & installation process of our canopies

Awnings & Playground Accessories

External Works: Surfacing, Fencing etc.

" We had Able Canopies in to fit a large canopy on our site, the full process was easy, from first contact, to signing the canopy off. The quality is good the contractors were efficient and speedy, they were also respectful of their surroundings. I would highly recommend Able Canopies." - Northfield School & Sports College

Installed April 2024 (Pictured above)