Dining Canopies for Schools
Kensington Systems is a trusted supplier of aluminium outdoor dining canopies to schools throughout the UK.
Our unique offer includes the following:
- Free site survey
- All Groundworks Included
- Innovative, low maintenance design
“The whole process was quick and easy…they were very flexible and accommodating with different design ideas.”
Operations Manager, Ryburn Valley High School
Benefits of Spaceshade® Dining Canopies for Schools
Quick, Cost-Effective Way to expand dining space
The ‘One Lunch’ policy is proving a logistical challenge for many schools who don’t have enough dining space for the number of pupils.
Installing a dining canopy is a fast and cost-effective way to rapidly expand your outdoor dining space if you don’t have the budget, space or time to build a new dining hall.
Free Site survey
Within just five working days, one of our specialist surveyors will aim to be with you on site. This allows us to take all your circumstances into account when quoting, avoiding any nasty surprises or extra expenses later.
We’ll then follow this up promptly with a no-obligation quote showing the canopy design within your school setting so you know exactly how it will look.
Side Walls and Retractable Blinds add Flexibility
Our Spaceshade® modular design allows for the addition of glass or polycarbonate side walls to provide extra weather protection and create an enclosed outdoor room.
Or, install retractable external blinds to provide extra flexibility, and lighting or heaters for winter use.
These additional features allow you to design a shelter bespoke to your own needs.
All Groundworks Included
Installing a canopy for schools is not just about the canopy itself – you also need to think about groundworks.
We include groundworks as part of our service, and project manage the whole installation for you, from groundworks to installation to resurfacing and final cleanup. See Mark Hall Academy as an example.
Our installations are carried out by DBS-checked installers to minimise disruption to your school as much as possible.
“From the initial design meeting all the way through to the end of the project Kensington have been great.”
IT & Facilities Manager, Cotham School
Contact Us Today:
Our range of school canopies & shelters
Kensington designs, manufactures, and installs a variety of outdoor canopies for schools across the UK. Our installation services are available for all types of schools including early years to primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities. We take pride in the quality of our school canopies, and the reliability of our installation work. Call us today and we can talk about the best type of canopies and playground shelters for your school, or see the further in-depth information and videos on this page.
Our range of school canopies
Providing a safe, comfortable and stimulating environment is one of the primary goals of every school. Students need a great place to study, rest and have fun. Our canopies make ideal extensions of the classroom or canteen. They provide a relaxed and interesting environment, make full use of space and add interesting dimensions to teaching.
Ultimate Flexibility
Our Spaceshade® dining canopy solutions are designed to incorporate optional extra features, including glass or polycarbonate side walls, built in rafter and gutter lighting (with concealed cabling) and heaters. Creating a comfortable enclosed room allows your school to make maximum use of the canopy throughout the year.
In the summer, heat reflective polycarbonate roof sheets help to keep the canopy cool.
Gain Extra Funding and Increase School Intake
A new dining canopy can help relieve the significant pressure that schools can face when using their often limited dining hall.
Installing an outdoor dining canopy allows all pupils to eat together in accordance with the ‘One Lunch’ policy guidelines, and may allows a school to increase its pupil intake.
Increased pupil intake also makes a school or trust eligible for extra funding.
“Great price, great product and a very personal service.”
Facilities Manager, Downsview Primary School
Case Study – Ruth Gorse Academy
Ruth Gorse Academy in Leeds were under pressure to increase their pupil intake and were given funding to do so from the local council.
They chose to install a Spaceshade® dining canopy with retractable external blinds. This solution provides the best of both worlds – weather protection in the winter and flexibility in the summer when the blinds can be raised.
Case Study – Epping St John’s Academy
Epping St John’s Academy needed more dining space and their existing indoor hall wasn’t big enough.
They decided to install an outdoor dining canopy in a semi-enclosed courtyard to expand their available dining space.
The new 18m x 10m structure provides approx. 180sqm of covered space for pupils to use in breaktimes and lunchtimes.
Case Study – Thistley Hough Academy
Thistley Hough Academy needed to expand their dining space and had purchased a catering pod to provide food for students outside.
They chose to install a Spaceshade® dining canopy powdercoated purple to match the school’s colours. The new shelter is located next to the catering pod to provide an ideal area for students to eat lunch.
Case Study – Bristol Free School
Bristol Free School had a new dining canopy installed as part of a refurbishment. The new outdoor shelter is designed to provide a comfortable space for outdoor dining and relieve pressure on the indoor facilities.
Fencing around the canopy helps to provide protection from the weather.
“We are very pleased with the structure, it enhances the appearance of the building and provides a smart looking sheltered area for learning and recreation.‘”
Facilities Manager, The Limes Primary School
School Dining Canopy FAQs
What is a school dining canopy?
Why should I install an outdoor dining canopy at my school?
An outdoor dining canopy can be a great solution if:
- Your indoor dining facilities are overcrowded or too small to cope with pupil numbers
- You do not have the budget (or space) to build a new dining hall
- You are under pressure to increase student intake within a short time frame (for example, before the new school year)
- A dining canopy can help to boost capacity and relieve overcrowding, with considerably less cost and time required to build a new dining hall.
- Read more about installing outdoor canopies for dining in secondary schools.
School dining canopy prices
The cost of your dining canopy will depend on a number of factors, including overall size, extent of groundworks, and choice of extras like side walls. As a general rule, you can expect to pay between £400-£700 (ex VAT) per sqm for a fully installed canopy (without side walls) depending on its size. The cost per sqm generally reduces as the canopy increases in size.
Read more about the factors than affect the cost of a canopy.
Do I need planning permission for an outdoor dining canopy?
It is always best to check with your local authority whether planning permission is required.
The canopy may fall under Permitted Development guidelines if it is less than 5m from the school boundary and is less than 25% of the total footprint of the building or less than 100 sqm (whichever is less) and has a total height of less than 5m.
If you are planning a very large structure however, planning is likely to be required.
Kensington Systems can help provide you with bespoke CGI visualisations to help you apply for planning.
Read more about applying planning permission for your canopy.
What are the benefits of a school dining canopy?
A school dining canopy has a number of benefits, which include:
- Quickly and cost-effectively expanding your current dining space
- Manage school lunchtimes more easily
- Can enable schools to increase their student intake and access more funding as a result
Can I add side walls to a Spaceshade® school dining canopy?
Yes, you can add side walls to a Spaceshade® dining canopy. There are a wide range of options available, including glass, polycarbonate, retractable blinds and solid panels
Read more or get in touch for more details.
What are your lead times?
Do you have DBS accreditation?
How can I expect the canopy installation process to work?
1. Enquiry
You get in touch with us via website, email or phone.
2. Site Visit & Quote
We come to site, do a detailed survey and produce a quote and bespoke visual based on that.
3. Order agreed
We agree an order and a deposit is paid. Our project manager visits site to meet you and kickstart the installation process. Final designs are produced for your approval.
4.Installation
Our groundworkers and installers arrive, securely fence the area and begin work. Work is completed with minimum disruption to your school.
5. Aftercare
We leave the site clean, tidy and ready to use. We’ll be there to support you if you need us again.
What sectors do we work in?
Education
Commercial
Healthcare
Retail
