Epping Saint John’s Academy – Outdoor Dining Canopy Installation

Epping-Based School That Required More Space

Based in Essex, Epping St John’s Academy is a well-respected secondary school in the town of Epping. Their values are Resilience, Diligence and Integrity, which contributed towards the Ofsted ‘Good’ rating at its last inspection. As student numbers continue to rise, the school’s facilities have come under pressure from the increasing demands for more space. This is why Kensington Systems was asked to carry out this exciting project.

What Was The Request For This Academy in Essex?

The school is the only secondary school in Epping, which means that many families rely on being able to secure a place every year. As the first choice for secondary education in the area and thanks to the nationwide increase in demand for school places, additional facilities were required.

One of the biggest pressure points was dining facilities. More outdoor seating was deemed essential to relieve pressure on the indoor dining area. This had to be in keeping with the current school look, allow sheltered dining all year long, and be a safety-assured solution ideal for pupils to use without risk.

The Solution? An Outdoor Dining Canopy For All Seasons

By working with the school, our team could recommend an option that ticked every box.

The Spaceshade Max Aluminium canopy in an apex configuration was selected as it fit the bill perfectly. The modern and clean look suits the school’s contemporary design. Furthermore, the innovative aluminium design, including built-in downpipes and guttering, makes for a low-maintenance and long-lasting canopy. Also ensuring its suitability for educational environments, safety features include certified non-fragile roofing and no exposed fixings.

The 18m x 11m canopy was installed in a courtyard space, and shaped to fit its non-standard dimensions to make the most efficient use of space. As well as ensuring a perfect installation, the Kensington Systems team also carried out the full groundworks package, including CAT scanning, foundations and drainage channels, and resurfacing with tarmac once the installation was complete.

The installation was carried out during the winter months. A heavy snowfall took place while the project was being completed, but we were able to use the plant we had on site to help clear paths through the snow for students and staff to use when moving around the school and reducing the risk of slips and injuries. The installation was completed with minimum disruption from the weather or to the day-to-day running of the school.

Why Did Epping St Johns Choose Kensington Systems?

• They liked the clean, modern design of the proposed canopy solution, with low-maintenance features like built-in downpipes. It also fitted well with the modern school building.
• Due to the space available, a unique solution was required. This product offered 8mm solid clear polycarbonate roof sheets. This roofing option looks as good as glass but is much more cost-effective, extremely durable, and impact-resistant.
• There was also an existing relationship with the trust, which meant the school was confident of receiving a quality installation with a high level of service from our team.

Do You Require More Outdoor Dining Space?

Growing student demands and inadequate budgets is something that most schools across the country are dealing with. Our school canopies allow you to enhance space in a way that meets all of your project demands.

Contact us today to learn more.