When Rain And Sun Become Too Much
A canopy in a school playground is much like a large veranda seen on many a property in warmer climates.
Unfortunately the UK does not have the climate needed to justify verandas but in places like schools the obvious attraction is that children need a certain amount of fresh air during the school day and if it is raining at least they can still go outside and not get wet.
In many properties around the coastal Mediterranean region the veranda is almost the size of the rest of the house. This is because for many months of the year people from this part of the world spend more time outside than in.
One of the disadvantages of living in a cold or temperate climate like the UK is that it is rarely good enough weather to sit outside other than a very few months in the summer.
With school canopies at least children can make the most of the fresh air and often this is more than they get at home where the windows stay closed and where there is little space to play outdoors anyway.
Canopies in the school are becoming increasingly popular and this may have a lot to do with the government initiative of trying to get children to cycle and walk to school.
Incentives in the form of grants are being awarded to schools that can show less car deliveries of kids and instead more of them arriving by bike. In return the cash offers are there to help provide dedicated cycle paths and bicycle sheds at the schools.
For many years we have all come to realise the greenhouse effect and global warming which quite frankly comes down to sheer human laziness. There is no point lecturing kids to eat less junk food and get more exercise when parents use the gas-guzzling four by four to deliver the children to school or to pop down to the shops for a few pork pies.
The canopies can be an attractive addition to any existing school building and can be totally original in design to fit any existing period building.
Made from fine extruded aluminium or galvanised steel the finish is a smooth and rust-proof structure that requires virtually no maintenance at all.
This smooth finish means there are no sharp edges or metal burs to damage young hands running along the surface. The powder finish is in any colour from the exhaustive collection in the internationally recognised PAL range.
The colour choice ensures the canopy can either blend in perfectly with existing structures or can alternatively be a totally contrasting colour to add a splash of difference.
With a policy of encouraging cycling and walking to school the child may learn the meaning of not getting obese. Obesity is now a major health concern in a country where close to a quarter of all children and adults qualify for this description.
All schools should look closely at making the most of canopies in the playground as well as covered walkways and covered bicycle sheds whilst grants are available.
For all you need to know about school canopies visit Garrickoutdoor.org.uk .
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