Blog
Blog
When we design all-weather canopy solutions, longevity and flexibility are two of the top criteria for our inhouse design team -– especially when designing for schools. We’re constantly mindful of schools’ ever-evolving needs and ready to meet these – even when it requires heavy lifting and a lot of imagination!
When schools invest in all-weather dining canopies – as more and more schools are doing today – they’re creating high-value spaces that transform the rhythm of the school day. Schools quickly find that these spaces become their most valued asset – providing a much-loved area to unwind, connect, re-energise and regroup in before the next part of the school day begins. And in many schools these all-weather spaces develop multiple functions – evolving into a hybrid outdoor dining space, learning space, social space and event space in one!
So, when Manor Drive Secondary Academy in Peterborough realised that they were outgrowing their main building and their only possible site for extension was where their relatively new all-weather dining canopy was situated, they were understandably concerned about losing such a valued facility.
But we were determined that they shouldn’t lose such a valued structure! The solution? Our team was brought back to site to carefully plan and orchestrate a move of 300m across the school site for the giant 15 x 23 structure – a project that required both precision and pragmatism.
Relocating a large, permanent structure within a live school environment presents unique challenges. The priority was to minimise disruption to pupils and staff, coordinating works around the school calendar and managing vehicle movements safely within the site. Protecting existing surfaces, landscaping and nearby buildings was also important, as was ensuring the canopy’s structural integrity was not compromised during dismantling, transport and reinstallation. To achieve this, each component was carefully documented, handled and reassembled to ensure the relocated canopy performed exactly as it had in its original setting.
The successful move – the first of its kind for us – means Manor Drive continues to benefit from its all-weather dining space – now in a new location that supports the school’s future growth. For the school, the canopy remains a valued asset, reducing pressure on internal communal areas, creating calmer lunchtimes and underlining the school’s commitment to creating environments that enhance student wellbeing.
Manor Drive Secondary Academy’s experience provides proof that great design doesn’t stand still. It’s a reminder that well-designed all-weather structures don’t have to be static add-ons but can be adaptable assets that evolve alongside a school’s ambitions and changing needs.
If your school is growing, its needs are changing, or you’re looking to get the most out of your site in 2026 and beyond, why not get in touch today with our friendly education team? We offer free visits that can help you unlock potential you never knew your site had…
