Inside2Outside Ltd has spent a number of years designing and developing its range of Pocca school canopies, shelters and walkways to maximise the potential of outdoor spaces in schools in order to create areas to accommodate learning, play and social interaction. Leveraging this potential was a key objective of the brief set by Marjorie McClure School in Kent, a specialist school for Physical Development focusing on raising the standard of physical development of all pupils through work in English, Maths, PSHE and PE removing the barriers to learning for all pupils across the curriculum.
The combination of aluminium and tensile fabric membrane construction of the Pocca school canopies creates unique and versatile waterproof structures with protective UV filters. For teachers of children with special learning requirements, however, there are many more things to consider - for example, the needs of pupils with varying levels of mobility and independence, those with visual and hearing impairments who use different means of communication, as well as other factors which might cause them to feel vulnerable in exposed surroundings.
Head teacher Denise James-Mason commented; “It’s been a real bonus; it’s hard to remember a time when we didn’t have it,” she explains “We know now more than ever about the dangers of being out in the sun, but from our point of view, being able to do activities safely outside as well as in has been a big improvement... we actually have one child who reacts very badly to sunlight so we really have to be careful with her.... this is ideal because it keeps the sun off you and gives you somewhere cool, plus it’s big enough for the kids to move around freely,” Even the brightly-coloured protective leg pads chosen by the school have specific benefits; “we had the red and yellow leg pads especially for visually- impaired pupils because apparently that combination of colours gives the best contrast... and of course, because the shelter isn’t very heavy, we only have 4 exposed legs, so we’ve had no accidents.” As well as a teaching area, the canopy at Marjorie McClure has become a focal point for sports events and social interaction, as the Head continues to explain. “We do lots and lots of sports events, sports days and things, and it’s just
been wonderful.” The school has since ordered the roller mesh blinds for the sides of the canopy so that they can use it as a partially enclosed area.
Other added benefits of the Pocca school canopy include the speed of construction and that it is immediately ready for use after erection. The most important thing, of course, is that if the children are under the canopy, you know they are safe.
If you would like more information about Pocca canopies please contact
Inside2Outside Ltd.
Tel: 01480 498297 Email: info@pocca.co.uk
Web: www.inside2outside.co.uk
Pictured 1 & 2 & 3: Pocca Canopy at Marjorie McClure School in Chislehurst
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