Kings Park Academy – Canopy Case Study

Product: Coniston Walkway Canopy
Size: 10m x 3m, 25m x 6m and 4.6m x 3.5m
Canopy Colour: Hipca White RAL 9910
Installation Date: August 2026
Client: Kings Park Academy / Authentic Education
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Intended Use: EYFS outdoor learning, play and sheltered waiting area

Brief

Kings Park Academy is a primary school in Bournemouth, Dorset, and forms part of Authentic Education. With approximately 572 pupils, the academy is committed to providing an environment that gives every child the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The academy was looking to make a significant improvement to the outdoor area serving three of its reception classrooms. The existing space was partially covered by two 6m x 6m cantilever umbrellas, which had not been installed by Able Canopies. The school wanted to replace these with a much larger, permanent structure that would provide more effective weather protection and enable greater use of the EYFS outdoor area throughout the year.

The proposed area was substantial, measuring approximately 41 metres in length and reaching around 7.2 metres at its widest point. Importantly, the space was not rectangular, with the available projection reducing towards either end. This meant that an off-the-shelf rectangular canopy would not make the best use of the available area.

Following initial discussions, representatives from Able Canopies met with the academy and Estates Director on site in October 2025 to assess the space in detail and establish the requirements for a formal proposal.

Proposal

Following our site assessment, we recommended the Coniston Walkway Canopy, adapting the system to follow the layout of the existing outdoor area.

Rather than installing one canopy at a consistent projection, our proposal comprised three connected sections:

1 no. 10m x 3m

1 no. 25m x 6m

1 no. 4.6m x 3.5m

Together, these sections would form one continuous canopy, with varying projections designed around the existing fence line and available space.

The proposal also included the removal and disposal of the two existing 6m x 6m cantilever umbrellas, together with the necessary removal of existing structures and drainage amendments required to accommodate the new installation.

The Coniston was particularly well suited to the project because its versatile design enabled us to create a bespoke configuration that maximised coverage without compromising the existing layout of the school grounds.

Solution

In August 2026, Able Canopies supplied and installed the new Coniston Walkway Canopy at Kings Park Academy.

Finished in Hipca White RAL 9910, the three connected sections form a single continuous structure that follows the changing dimensions of the outdoor area. The completed installation has replaced the two individual cantilever umbrellas with a substantially larger and more permanent weather-protection solution.

The academy now benefits from approximately 202m² of covered outdoor space, significantly increasing the opportunities for reception pupils to learn and play outside throughout the school year. The canopy provides protection from rain as well as shade and high levels of UV protection during sunny weather, helping the school make much greater use of its EYFS outdoor environment.

The benefits extend beyond outdoor learning. During morning drop-off and afternoon collection, the large, covered area provides parents, carers and pupils with a sheltered place to wait, whether they need protection from rain or relief from strong summer sunshine.

By covering the area immediately outside three classrooms, the installation can also help reduce direct solar heat gain through the adjoining windows and doors during warmer periods.

The completed project demonstrates how a carefully designed canopy can address several estate requirements within one solution – improving outdoor learning provision, increasing weather protection, supporting more comfortable classrooms and creating a practical sheltered waiting area. Kings Park Academy now has a substantial all-weather space designed around the way pupils, staff and families use the school every day.

If you require a canopy for your school, contact us today to discover the perfect solution.