The UK has already experienced two heatwaves this year, and depending upon where you are located, you may have already felt the impact firsthand. Some have described these conditions as “extraordinary”, alongside growing calls for the UK to make preparation for more extreme heat a greater priority.

Whilst warmer weather creates opportunities for outdoor learning and play, it also highlights an increasing challenge for schools: how to safely balance time outdoors with protection from more intense and sustained heat.

Children are more vulnerable than adults to heat-related risks such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunburn. There is also a clear link between UV exposure in childhood and long-term skin damage, reinforcing the need for safe, shaded environments.

At the same time, space constraints remain a concern. Around 15% of schools in England are operating at or over capacity, placing additional pressure on classrooms, dining areas and social spaces.

Together, these factors create a clear requirement for flexible environments that allow schools to extend usable space whilst maintaining pupil safety and comfort.

Canopies provide a practical way to respond to both heat and space challenges.

They allow schools to:-

• Extend teaching and learning beyond the classroom
• Create shaded, comfortable outdoor areas
• Reduce pressure on indoor facilities
• Protect pupils from direct sunlight and heat exposure

By introducing covered outdoor environments, schools can ensure that external space remains usable and effective throughout the day, even during periods of higher temperatures

Outdoor environments play an important role in supporting pupil engagement, concentration and overall wellbeing.

However, without appropriate shade, these spaces can quickly become uncomfortable or inaccessible during hot weather. Canopies help maintain consistent use of outdoor areas, supporting both structured learning and informal activity.

This is not simply about comfort, it is about enabling environments where pupils can continue to learn and interact safely.

As temperatures rise, the design of outdoor space becomes increasingly important. Effective canopy solutions focus on creating shaded, cooler environments that remain usable during periods of strong sun.

At Clovis, each structure is designed around how your space is used, ensuring it supports both your immediate needs and long-term flexibility.

Playground shelters provide shaded, temperature-managed areas where pupils can continue to learn and play safely.

• Protect against direct sunlight and UV exposure

• Help prevent heat from building up

• Support early years outdoor learning in a safe, controlled environment

By introducing reliable shade, playgrounds remain accessible and usable, even during peak temperatures.

Outdoor dining and activity spaces are particularly affected by heat, often becoming uncomfortable or underused without protection.

Canopy solutions help to:-

• Create shaded dining areas that remain comfortable at lunchtime
• Provide cooler social spaces for breaks and interaction
• Maintain usability of sports and activity areas in warmer conditions

This ensures key parts of the school day can continue without disruption, even during hotter periods.

Weather patterns are becoming less predictable, and the need to prepare for more extreme conditions is increasing.

Met Office projections suggest that if current warming trends continue, temperatures in the mid-forties could become a realistic possibility for the UK by 2050.

This reinforces the importance of creating outdoor environments that are adaptable, resilient and capable of supporting everyday use in changing conditions.

Canopies offer a straightforward and effective solution that supports:-

• Safer outdoor environments
• Improved use of available space
• Greater flexibility across the school site

At Clovis, we work closely with schools to design structures that are practical, well-integrated and tailored to each environment, ensuring they support both current needs and future demands.

As expectations around school environments continue to evolve, covered outdoor space is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It is an essential part of creating resilient, future-ready education settings.

If you would like to discuss your site project further and explore what options are available with one of our team, please call us.