Outdoor Learning Pods
Low-maintenance and highly configurable, our learning pods provide an ideal covered space for outdoor learning and play in your school grounds.
- Bespoke sizing available
- All Groundworks Included
- Stunning low-maintenance designs
“Excellent product, good communication throughout.”
Facilities Manager, Swansea School
Benefits of Outdoor Learning Canopies
Increased Outdoor Learning Opportunities
Outdoor learning shelters create a unique, designated space for outdoor learning, which has been proved to increase the physical, mental, social and emotional health of young children. They can also be installed anywhere in the playground, and allow outdoor learning to take place in all weathers.
Bespoke Sizing
We offer bespoke sizes and designs to fit into your specific environment.
For example, wooden or glazed infill panels could be included, or external blinds to provide shelter from the rain or sun. And tables and chairs or benches can be added inside for children to use.
Stunning Low-maintenance designs
Installing learning pods in your school grounds enhances your outdoor environment, with beautiful designs using a combination of natural wood and hardwearing aluminium.
They are created with the safety of pupils in mind, including features like concealed fixings and built in gutters and downpipes.
All Groundworks included
Installing a canopy is not just about the canopy itself – you also need to think about groundworks.
We include groundworks as part of our turnkey service, and project manage the whole installation for you, from groundworks to installation to resurfacing and final cleanup.
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What is a learning pod?
A learning pod is a playground shelter specifically intended for outdoor learning and play. It is usually constructed from hardwearing materials like timber or aluminium for maximum durability and weather protection.
Learning pods can be open or have enclosed sides, and often include built in seating or other features like retractable blinds to increase comfort and make best use of space.
Bespoke sizing and design allows a school to customise the pod to meet its own needs.
Learning pods for schools
Like school canopies, learning pods are designed to enhance the outdoor environment by providing sheltered areas for children to learn and play.
Outdoor learning has proven benefits to young childrens’ physical health, mental wellbeing, and social skills as well as improved overall development. Learning pods support this by providing a sheltered environment for learning and play to take place all year round.
Learning pods cost
An outdoor learning pod can represent a budget friendly alternative to a larger school canopy if funds are tight. The modular construction and bespoke design makes it easy to achieve a useful playground space on a more limited budget.
Each learning pod is unique, contact us for further details and pricing.
Outdoor Learning Opportunities
Outdoor learning can be incorporated into almost any lesson. You could start simply by taking the lesson outside and using natural materials in storytelling, art and creative activities. Science projects are also a great way to get children exploring and learning about the natural world.
A learning pod can help children to develop teamwork and collaboration skills by using the learning pod to work in small groups. An outdoor learning shelter is very versatile and can also be used for outdoor teaching, reading and quiet time, play, or as a sensory space.
Outdoor learning pods can be designed with many different features, including seating, blinds, lighting and timber or aluminium infill panels, according to your needs.
Benefits of Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning has a number of well documented benefits for young children. These include –
- Better mental health and wellbeing
Being outdoors can have a calming effect on pupils, which leads to improved concentration, reduced stress levels and leads to increased overall happiness.
- Better physical health
Outdoor learning leads to increased physical movement and exercise. Children need at least 60 minutes of exercise per day, and active outdoor learning can be included in this.
- Sensory development
Well-developed vision and dexterity skills contribute to strong physical health. Engaging all the senses also leads to a better learning experience.
- Improved Social Skills
Outdoor learning can improve children’s language and communication, as well as overall confidence and motivation, all of which contribute to better social skills.
Outdoor Learning Activities
There are many opportunities for taking learning outside. For example
- Science projects and experiments can often be conducted outside as pupils learn more about the natural world.
- Art projects and creative activities can involve natural materials
- Outdoor reading
- Storytelling and role-play
- Gardening projects like growing fruit and vegetables
- Taking children to their local park or green space
Durable Design
We choose to use high quality, long lasting materials for our learning pods, including aluminium and low-maintenance woods like cedar, redwood and larch. This means your learning pod will last a long time and require little maintenance.
Case Study: Forge Wood Primary School
We supplied & installed a bespoke 4m x 4m timber playground shelter at Forge Wood Primary School which is ideal for outdoor learning. Constructed from robust treated timber, the shelter features bench seating on 3 sides, with plenty of space for children to sit while protected from the sun.
Case Study: Wickwar Out of School Club
Wickwar Out of School Club wanted a shelter that could be used all year round. They chose a learning pod design with a Spaceshade aluminium frame and hardwearing cedar cladding on three sides. The openings have retractable blinds with vision panels which provide weather protection when lowered, or left raised when the weather is good.
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.
