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Request a Call-BackMore teaching space. More dining space. More room to play, whatever the weather. We design, manufacture and install outdoor canopies and shelters built around what your school actually needs.
A lot of classrooms are getting fuller and budgets tighter, so schools are turning outdoor space into usable space. Our canopies and shelters give pupils and staff somewhere covered to learn, eat, play or wait, come rain, wind or shine. All without the cost or disruption of a building extension.
Available in a range of sizes, freestanding or wall-mounted, our canopies for schools create versatile, sheltered spaces including:
- Outdoor learning shelters
- Play zones
- Walkways
- Study areas
- Dining areas
We work with nurseries, primary and secondary schools, academies and colleges across the UK. Every canopy is designed around your site, not taken from a shelf. And thanks to a Melinex gel-coated roof, they hold up against wind, rain, snow and the sun’s UV rays.
ISBL Approved Partner
We’re an ISBL Approved Partner. That’s the Institute of School Business Leadership, the professional body for school business managers and bursars across the UK.
In practice, it means we’ve already been through the vetting that most schools would otherwise have to do themselves. Our processes, contracts and ways of working meet the standards ISBL expects from suppliers working in education. For a business manager juggling procurement alongside everything else, that’s one less thing to check.
As an ISBL Approved Partner, you can procure with confidence.
Built for every stage of education
Early years & nurseries
Outdoor play is a big part of the day in nurseries, whether that’s messy play, sand pits or story time outside. A playground shelter gives children a sheltered space to carry on using those areas through more of the year, while staff have somewhere comfortable to supervise.
Primary schools
Primary schools often want to get more from the playground. We regularly install canopies that create space for outdoor lessons, gardening projects, covered play areas and quieter activities when pupils need a break from the classroom.
Secondary schools & academies
By secondary school, outdoor space often needs to work harder. A canopy can add extra seating at lunchtime, create somewhere for students to spend breaktime or provide covered space for lessons, events and activities throughout the year.
Colleges & higher education
For colleges and universities, a canopy gives students somewhere comfortable to meet, eat or study outside. We also design covered teaching spaces, walkways and entrance canopies that fit into busy campuses and stand up to everyday use.
The process, from our first discussions with the sales team about design and cost through to erection of the canopy was flawless. We have used Canopies UK in three of our Trust schools now and would have no hesitation in recommending them.
Bob R W Moorhouse MBE BSc (Hons), Chief Operating Officer, Framingham Earl High School
Why schools choose Canopies UK
We’ve been designing, manufacturing and installing canopies for 35+ years, and schools make up a large part of what we do. A few reasons school business managers and heads keep coming back to us:
- Site-specific design, every time. We don’t sell off-the-shelf sizes. Every canopy is calculated for your site, your budget and what you actually need it to do.
- ISBL Approved Partner. Independently vetted to work with schools, helping make procurement simpler for school business managers.
- 10-year guarantee on labour and installation, as standard.
- Payment plans available, including finance leasing for schools and academies.
- One team, start to finish. The same company designs, manufactures and installs your canopy, so nothing gets lost between contractors.
School canopy prices
We know cost is usually one of the first questions. Every canopy is bespoke, so the final price depends on size, design and what you’re using it for. As a rough guide:
| Range | Typical starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Connekt | From under £10,000 | Our most popular entry point for schools |
| Average Connekt project | Around £18,000 | Based on typical school specifications |
| Larger/bespoke systems | Quote on survey | Cantabria, Italia, Olympus priced to your site |
The most accurate way to get a price is a free site survey. One of our team will visit, take proper measurements and give you a tailored quote with no obligation.
Worried about budget? Finance leasing is available to UK schools and academies without needing Secretary of State approval. It lets you borrow the full value and pay it back over the term. There’s no lengthy application process, so you can get the shelter your school needs now and spread the cost.
We chose to work with Canopies UK again because the service has been excellent. The installation team were great and worked tirelessly.
Julie Mounfield, Operations & Facilities Manager, Co-op Academy Bebington
How it works
Getting a canopy installed is a bigger decision than most purchases a school makes, so here’s what to expect.
- Survey. We visit your site, take measurements and talk through what you need the space to do.
- Design. We put together a bespoke design and quote based on your site and budget.
- Manufacture. Your canopy is built to spec at our facility.
- Install. Our own installation team fits your canopy – no third-party contractors.
Get a quick price
To find out about the cost of installing a canopy at your school, leave your details and we’ll let you know within one working day.
Gallery
Want to explore the options for your nursery, school or college? Take a look at our canopies that have been specifically designed for the education industry.
Case Studies
Castleford Academy school canopy
Castleford Academy needed a canopy to link different school buildings and create a covered walkway. Our solution means bad weather is no longer a concern when moving between classrooms.
Gresham’s Nursery and Pre-Prep School play area
We installed a glass roof canopy over a newly developed play area for Gresham’s Nursery and Pre-Prep School. The canopy had to complement the school’s historic architecture while adding a modern edge.
Highgate Wood Secondary School outdoor dining space
Highgate Wood Secondary School got in touch as they needed sheltered space for outdoor dining. Our bespoke canopy system helps the school with overcrowding during break and lunchtimes.
Download a Brochure
For more information about our canopies and the options available to you, download our brochure.
FAQs
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Prices start from under £10,000 for our Connekt range, with average projects around £18,000. Every canopy is bespoke, so the best way to get an accurate figure is a free site survey.
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In many cases, you won’t need planning permission if your canopy falls under permitted development rights. However, it depends on size, location and your school’s specific site. We’ll talk through what’s needed for your project as part of the survey.
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This varies by project size and design, but we’ll give you a clear timeline as part of your quote. In general, installation can be as quick as one day, and larger projects don’t typically last longer than a few days. We’ll schedule a time that works for you and can install during both term time and the holidays.
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Every installation comes with a 10-year labour and installation guarantee as standard.
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Yes. We offer payment plans, and UK schools and academies can also access finance leasing without needing Secretary of State approval.
Resources
We’re passionate about sharing our wealth of school canopy knowledge with you. Discover a range of useful resources, from our downloadable funding guide to outdoor play guides and more.
Funding Your Canopy
Do you need the funds to get the canopy you want? Download our free guide for details of accessing popular grant schemes. Or take a look at our finance options for school canopies to see how you can spread the cost.
Download our funding for schools canopies guide
Outdoor Dining Space for Schools
Discover how to make more room to seat every child at lunch time. Canopies provide the ideal balance between temporary playground shelters and costly building extensions requiring planning permission.
Download our dining canopies for schools guide
Outdoor Play For Early Years
Discover our downloadable look book to find out how disused outdoor space can be transformed and made the most of, with inspiring examples.
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