Kensington Systems

Fitting snugly around an existing building, the Spaceshade dining canopy at the Hart School provides an expansion of covered dining space alongside shelter for the catering pod. Read more in our case study. https://lnkd.in/epQnnKBn

Becki Huth, the Sustainability and Forest school lead from Cutteslow Primary School, wrote this fascinating article recently in Schools Week, detailing how a focus on nature, sustainability and outdoor learning has had an astonishing impact on their pupils. 'Exposure to the outdoors has not only helped to embed a love of nature among our children, but being able to move around more freely and creatively has dramatically improved behaviour. In turn, this has reduced exclusions. Keeping animals and growing vegetables on an allotment has allowed them to help children with anxiety, as well as build a stronger relationship with parents and the local community by encouraging them to help out. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eSFHVeRc This is such a great example of the positive effects outdoor learning can have on pupil behaviour, attendance and overall happiness at school. Our playground canopies provide covered outdoor space which enables children to benefit from being outdoors throughout the year. https://lnkd.in/eTppmG7f

It's exhibition time of year, which means the @Schools & Academies Show is approaching again. Stop by and visit us on Stand E70 to find out about new product releases and talk to the team. Tickets are free for all visitors from the public sector. Book here: https://lnkd.in/e7PTgbag

What's the best way to maximise ROI on your canopy installation and get kids outside? By using that canopy as much as possible throughout the year. But how can you do that when it's cold and wet and downright unpleasant from October to April? Install side walls or infill panels. Relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of the canopy, side walls are worthwhile investment for a dining canopy or playground canopy. Glass, polycarbonate, timber or retractable options such as blinds or shutters give you a huge amount of flexibility and a good range of price points depending on your preferences and budget. What's more, they're easily retrofitted to an existing canopy. Find out more in our blog. https://lnkd.in/e7GiyXbe

Playground canopies have added a huge amount of extra covered space to this new primary school, providing a sheltered space for outdoor learning & play throughout the winter months Read more in our case study. https://lnkd.in/ei_XDMTX

Recent research recommends that exposure to 'essential experiences' like gardening, kneading bread dough, playing in mud and other types of outdoor learning specially benefits disadvantaged students, who might not otherwise be able to experience them - for example, if they don't have access to outdoor space at home. These early experiences can actually improve student's understanding of STEM subjects later in their education, increasing achievement and potentially encourage more to choose a STEM field as a profession. Read more in our blog. https://lnkd.in/eyf_wVtx

Regardless of the time of year, canopies with roofs like this never fail to add a splash of mood-boosting colour to a school playground. The original idea was the canopy would provide 'sunshine every day' with its red, orange and yellow roof. Always needed on grey days! Read the full case study here. https://lnkd.in/ea9ArnfU

It turns out that encouraging increased social interaction in schools can have powerful effects in combating loneliness, while also increasing emotional wellbeing and academic achievement, according to research. Find out more in our blog. https://lnkd.in/eazubzEt

Built on values of respect, diversity, consideration and responsibility, Nether Stowe School is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. Recently they installed two new red dining canopies in courtyard areas of the school to provide additional dining and social space for students to use during breaks. Social interaction between students has been shown to not only boost emotional wellbeing but also academic achievement. This is in line with the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership's focus on improving equality, helping all students to excel and reach their full potential. Read more in our case study. https://lnkd.in/eTNvCZRK

Costing up to three times less than a traditional extension, dining canopies are a popular choice for schools looking to expand their dining space on a tight budget. Find out how much they cost and what you can get in our blog. https://lnkd.in/ezW6KEaC