Schools and Nurseries

Outdoor Healthy Space for Education

MAXIMISE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE WITH A RETRACTABLE FABRIC AWNING OR VERANDA SPECIFICALLY BUILT FOR COMMERCIAL USE

Sun shading outdoor areas in various shapes and sizes have become increasingly popular in nurseries, schools and universities, and other educational facilities to provide effective sun, UV and rain protection for pupils, staff and parents. Creating additional space outdoors has so many obvious benefits for health and well being. Samson Awnings offer several solutions, in either manual or electrically operated models. The ease of operation and cost effectiveness is also appealing to most and with some careful planning can provide an attractive, practical, healthy, additional outside area for most of the year round use.

With skin cancer one of the most common cancers in the UK and numbers of cases rising at an alarming rate, it is essential that protection is provided from an early age. Children and young people are particularly at risk with far more delicate skin and sunburn in childhood can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.

WHY OUR SHADING SOLUTIONS IMPROVE THE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

OFSTED reports are a major modern concern for most schools, and in 2008 OFSTED published a special report specifically aimed at detailing the benefits of learning ‘outside’ the classroom. In the report, they state that “often outdoor areas were not easily accessible and, even where they were, they did not always provide pupils with such a rich range of choice or opportunity. Too often, a lack of suitable canopies unnecessarily limited the use of these areas.”

Below we have several specific types of Samson sun shading solutions. Click on any of the categories for more information. Many of the models can be joined together to give very large coverage if required.
Effective outdoor activity, learning, eating and relaxation areas can only enhance a pupil’s social environment and physical development in the longer term. We need to catch up now with our European neighbours on all aspects of being outside longer for the fresh air, natural light and health benefits.

Retractable Fabric Awnings

A very popular choice for many schools and nurseries over the years has been a retractable awning, either mounted directly onto a building wall or also fitted to a goalpost framework to then have 2 or more awnings to cover larger spaces.
Our vast range of commercial grade awnings are made to measure as standard with manual and electric operated options. We also offer well over 400 fabric colours across 3 ranges of awnings to provide the exact colour for you and your building.

We have many awning fabrics with 100% UV protection rating, but most have very high ratings, well over 90% UV rating in most cases. Select from solid colours and endless designs but also with the option for printing with logos and lettering.

PARASOLS AND UMBRELLAS

Very popular for covering smaller to medium spaces in schools are out commercial parasols (or umbrellas, we are never sure what to call them really) and they can be a great solution for any area where the space is only required for use infrequently.

We do offer parasols with very high wind ratings enabling them to be left open for most of the year round but other parasols do need to be closed when not in use. The operation for all the larger umbrellas is a simple geared winding mechanism with a handle, so anyone can effectively manage these, even at the largest sizes.

RETRACTABLE AND FIXED CANOPIES

Our extensive range of canopies which use a fixed aluminium structure framework, offer the ability for larger covered outdoor space, with so many options for add ons to further enhance the overall weather protection. Whether it is a retractable or fixed roof, generally the ability to deal with wind and rain is a lot more guaranteed and the dispersal of the rainwater too is better with built in guttering systems and downpipes built into the support posts to take the water out at low level and away from the outdoor space.

THE MANY BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR COVERED SPACE

We have all learnt from the Covid pandemic the obvious health benefits from being outside in fresh air and natural light. However we also live in the UK, where the climate is possibly one of the most unpredictable in Europe with several seasons often seen in one day.

More and more fixed and retractable canopies are being used in education, leisure and hospitality premises to provide additional, usually inviting and unique, outdoor, covered and weather protected areas. Even basic clear glass will protect you from most of the harmful UV rays from the sun, but there are so many other options which set out to protect from the harmful UV rays, but also offer a completely waterproof canopy overhead.

Fixed and Retractable Canopies in schools, universities, nurseries and pretty much any organisation which has outdoor space, which is vastly underutilised and usually because of the weather exposure can easily create useful, attractive extra space.

Protect children and staff from the more obvious harmful rays of the midday sun, but also from the all too frequent rainfall. Adding additional protection to exposed sides with a prevailing wind also helps to make the outdoor space far more useable. Most customers find that covered space with properly protected sides can add another 4 months to the average year in terms of being outside, but not uncomfortable or soaking wet.

From Planning to Installation Made Easy

1. Initial Contact

Call us directly on 01933 448 844, submit an online enquiry or visit our showroom to speak to a member of our team.

2. Price Proposal

We will then send you a price proposal to review, and make changes if required. We can also do some initial visuals.

3. Site Survey

Once you are 100% happy, we will arrange a site survey to check dimensions and to ensure the specifications are suitable.

4. Installation

We will complete your installation and handover a professionally installed product which will have guarantees in place for added peace of mind.

We welcome you and your family to come and try out the selection for yourself.

Visit our Showroom

6-8 Meadow Close, Ise Valley Industrial Estate, Finedon Road, Wellingborough, Northants, NN8 4BH

Our Outdoor Living team welcome you to visit our comprehensive showroom which is one of the largest in the UK, since 1992 at the same location. We have inside and outside working models of awnings, pergolas, glass verandas, retractable canopies and umbrellas. We also have a large range of entrance and garage doors as we are part of the Dovegroup and have doors, security products and electric gates in our portfolio. Our range of products that you can use for yourself and relish in the joy of outdoor living are from our trusted, impressive manufacturers such as Markilux and Weinor.

Please call on 01933 448844 to ask about our products and our team will expertly guide you through the pages of the website to see what products we have here, and how to make the best choice. Our showroom has a lot of products to view and try but if there is something very specific it might we worth checking to make sure we have a working example or sample to see and review.If you prefer we can provide budget prices for you, via email but for this we do ask for at least one image of the area you are considering installing to so we may assess product suitability and sizing, etc. Please send us images of your home or business and some basic measurements and this will commence our email consultation!