As the UK’s leading suppliers of street furniture, we have a diverse and extensive product range that covers everything from litter bins to benches, canopies to cycle shelters. For over 70 years, we’ve delivered projects all over the country, for clients with varying budgets and requirements. Over the past few years, we’ve noticed a rise in the demand of our timber canopies and walkways from schools, no doubt down to the increasing amount of SLT and teachers taking their classrooms outdoors.
Outdoor learning not only allows pupils to experience subjects whilst learning about them; it also promotes a healthy body and mind. Being outdoors, even in a classroom situation, promotes physical activity, as it’s easy to create activities where pupils are constantly moving. Not only does outdoor learning allow for pupils to become more active, it also helps them to become more sociable and improves their communication skills. Having one large outdoor classroom and seating area gives children the opportunity to interact with students that they do not usually get chance to interact with.
Working with schools across the UK, we keep finding that being outdoors and amongst nature gives pupils a greater understanding and appreciation for their environment. This school year, given the frequent news of environmental issues globally, it’s more paramount than ever that we educate children on conservation and respect for the environment.
One of our favourite recent projects is the installation at Windmill Primary School in Northampton. The headteacher at this school required a timber canopy to provide an outdoor learning space for Early Years’ pupils during both summer and winter. The space had to be creative in order to encourage the younger children to get involved, so we created a bespoke Timber Monopitch Shelter.
This structure has a multiwall polycarbonate roof with translucent vinyl, which creates a multicoloured, kaleidoscopic effect within the classroom. Broxap also installed vinyl roller blinds with windows to allow children the joys of learning outside, even on the stormiest of days. During the summer this timber canopy can have the vinyl blinds rolled up, which allows children to learn outdoors amongst nature whilst still getting complete cover from the sun’s harmful UV Rays.
Outdoor learning is extremely beneficial for children. It can promote a healthy active lifestyle, as well as enhancing their learning and environmental understanding.
To see how your school can take more learning outdoors this year, visit www.broxap.com or contact [email protected] / 0844 800 4085.
