School canopy finance made simple: what’s changed one year on

Posted on 5th September 2025 | Posted in Education

Jonathan Eastwood, Finance Director at Canopies UK, shares his perspective on how finance leasing has changed school canopy projects one year on.

A year ago, changes to school finance rules removed one of the biggest hurdles schools faced when leasing education canopies. Since September 2024, schools no longer need Secretary of State approval for finance leasing. It’s a shift that’s made canopy projects simpler and more accessible for schools across the UK.

As Finance Director at Canopies UK, I’ve seen first-hand how this has opened doors for schools. The biggest difference the regulatory changes have made is speeding up the decision-making process. Schools don’t have to wait for the next budget cycle or face layers of red tape. Finance frees up their current budgets, so projects can move forward much sooner.

What’s changed with school canopy finance?

Before September 2024, approvals for finance leases could hold projects up. Now, schools can liaise directly with finance providers, making the process much quicker and more straightforward.

At Canopies UK, we’ve kept our finance options clear and simple. Packages are designed to fit naturally with how schools plan and budget across the year, so the process feels smooth and predictable.

With school canopy finance leasing, schools can spread the cost over an agreed period of time. That means they get the space they need straight away, without having to wait until full funding is in place – something that I know used to stop many projects from going ahead.

School canopy finance: see the options

What good finance looks like

Our finance packages cover the design, manufacture and installation of your school canopy, with transparent leasing terms that work with school budgets rather than against them.

With finance leasing, schools can:

• Spread the cost – make manageable repayments
• Finance the whole project – no need to part-fund from your budget
• Pick a term that works – choose repayments that work around your budget cycle
• Own the canopy outright – once the lease finishes, the canopy belongs to you
• Get space right away – no waiting until next year’s budget

The practical difference for schools

School business managers don’t need to build complex cases for Secretary of State approval or wait for budget committees to sign things off. The process now feels much more straightforward:

• Decisions made sooner – no approval necessary
• Projects can be scheduled around holiday and quieter periods
• Schools can start projects mid-year without disrupting existing budgets
• Repayments can be spread across financial years

What schools tell us after installation

Schools tell us the impact of a new canopy is immediate: smoother lunchtimes, extra covered space for dining or activities and fewer issues during wet playtimes. Over time, outdoor learning and play can even support student wellbeing and behaviour.

The benefits schools see:

• Year-round protection: shelter from rain, wind and UV rays so outdoor activities can happen in any season
• Flexible extra space – dining, teaching, socialising or outdoor learning across primary and secondary schools
• Adaptability – outdoor classrooms, walkways, waiting areas or play areas
• Less pressure indoors – reduced overcrowding in lunch halls and corridors
• Safety improvements – covered areas reduce slips and falls in wet or icy conditions
• Cost-effective expansion – cheaper and less disruptive than building work while improving the overall look of the school

A real example: Standish Community High School

A great example of finance leasing in action this year has been at Standish Community High School. Working with Midshire Catering Services, we installed a grey Connekt Colosseum canopy with side panels, creating a new, sheltered dining space that students can enjoy all year round.

It’s a large project that, in the past, would likely have been delayed or shelved. With finance available, the school was able to go ahead with the upgrades straight away. The main structure was completed over the summer, with finishing touches added in time for the autumn term. It means lunchtimes can run more smoothly and students have a comfortable place to sit that eases pressure around the main dining hall.

Guidance for school leaders

From my perspective, finance works best when schools want to save their budget for other priorities or can’t wait for the next budget cycle. It lets you have the benefits now while spreading the cost over manageable payments. For most schools, this immediate availability makes a big difference to pupils’ day-to-day experience.

Some schools worry that the lease terms are complicated or restrictive, but in reality they’re straightforward and designed with schools in mind. Another misconception is that leasing is like renting. At the end of the lease term, the school always owns the canopy outright – the cost is just spread over a period that works with your budget.

That’s the bigger picture. But school leaders often want the practical detail, so here are the most common questions I’m asked about canopy finance:

FAQs: school canopy finance

Does the school own the canopy at the end of the lease?

Yes, at the end of the lease, the school owns the canopy outright. This is the question I hear most from schools and the answer is always the same: it’s a pathway to ownership, not rental.

Is school canopy finance compliant for maintained schools and academies?

Yes – the rules apply equally to both. Since September 2024, finance leases for standard equipment no longer need Secretary of State approval, so the process is straightforward for all school types.

What projects are suitable for finance?

Finance can be used for any canopy project, from outdoor dining areas and covered walkways to entrances and outdoor learning spaces.

Does finance cover design, manufacture and installation too?

Yes. Finance covers the full project from start to finish, including design, manufacture and installation.

How quickly can a financed project be approved and installed?

Now there’s no need for Secretary of State approval, projects move from initial enquiry to installation much more quickly. Once the design is agreed, finance can be approved in as little as 24 hours. Installation will depend on the complexity of the project and when best suits you for us to be on site but can be as soon as 3-4 weeks from approval.

My main advice for school leaders considering finance? Don’t be put off by the word “finance.” It’s designed to work with school budgets, not against them. If you’ve got a project that would really benefit pupils, finance can make it happen sooner without draining your current funds.

Jonathan Eastwood is Finance Director at Canopies UK. With over 30 years’ experience in the education sector, Canopies UK has completed thousands of installations across the UK, designing and manufacturing canopies to British Standards for schools, businesses and homeowners.

Ready to explore what’s possible for your school? Book a free site survey or speak to our team about finance options that could work for your next project.