11 Tips to Secure that Grant

Posted on 27/06/2017 by Christine

If you’re in the process of planning a big, costly project and it feels like raising the funds will take forever, then it may be time to apply for some grants. We have therefore added 11 top tips below which are well worth a read before you start on that lengthy application form. 1. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Don’t leave the whole responsibility of applying for the grant to one person. Applying for grants can involve a lot of … Continue reading →

Playing With Playdough Outside For Less Mess And More Sensory

Posted on 15/06/2017 by David Lowbridge

Messy play is an important part of a child’s development, especially in the early years. It supports their gross and fine motor skills, co-ordination and concentration. It is also fun and exciting. One of the most popular play items for messy time is playdough. The sensation and variety of exciting playdough colours, whether shop bought or homemade, can captivate the imagination of young children. Playdough Is Messy The challenge with playdough is that it is messy. It gets stuck in … Continue reading →

Give your outside space the royal treatment

Posted on 09/06/2017 by Kelvin Bathe

For schools up and down the country being able to make the maximum use of outside space is not just the right thing to do from an educational stand point but good business sense too. Sheltered areas allow safe outside learning and interactive play all the year round. This flexible use of outside space needs to be weighed up against the costs to transform it and the likely amount of use. Getting the most from the budget is therefore essential. … Continue reading →

Case Study: St John’s CE Primary School, Enfield

Posted on 08/06/2017 by Kelvin Bathe

The Brief In August 2016, we were contacted about a new build and enclosed link walkway project at St John’s School in Enfield. We were invited on board at the point where the local planning department had declined the initial design for a space between two school buildings. We were tasked with providing the shelter required for the space and to use our Kensington Mono Pitch product (which most closely matched the planning requirement) to make it happen. This is … Continue reading →

Staying Safe in the Sun – It’s a Job for Shade Man

Posted on 07/06/2017 by Kelvin Bathe

We are all pleased to see the sun at this time of year and to enjoy the warmth and long summer evenings. For schools the opportunities for outdoor activities and learning must be tempered with the need to manage exposure to harmful UV rays and to make sure children stay safe in the sun. To build that understanding we have developed our Sun Safe Activity Pack. This collection of learning and fun includes quizzes, creative activities and games that will … Continue reading →

New Ideas for your summer fete

Posted on 06/06/2017 by Kelvin Bathe

The school summer fete might not be the freshest idea in your fundraising calendar but it stays in because, let’s face it, when done well they raise money. To liven up the event this year have you thought about: Panning for Gold – allowing children to sift through sand and water to find ‘golden nuggets’ – small stones sprayed gold, is a winner. The gold nuggets could be prize enough but if not ‘find three nuggets and win another prize’, … Continue reading →

How to choose your summer shade system

Posted on 02/06/2017 by Kelvin Bathe

It is noticeable how many more enquiries we receive about sails, awnings and umbrellas, or our Fabric Collection as we like to call it, once the sun starts shining. People’s thoughts naturally turn to enjoying the outdoors once the weather improves. For schools and hospitality outlets the key is to give access to the outside but to do that in a way that is safe for pupils and customers. That means UV protection and solid installations that will last. There … Continue reading →

Risk Versus Benefit: Learning Through Challenging Play

Posted on 01/06/2017 by David Lowbridge

Children love to play games with an element of risk, but adults tend to prefer that they don’t. While health and safety is a keyword in educational provisions, it can also be misleading. We must protect children from dangers, but we shouldn’t be afraid to let them experience the thrill of risky playtime. Learning And Development Risky playtime is a way for children to develop both their physical and mental skills. Learning to climb trees, for example, is great physical … Continue reading →

The Coniston is Over Taking the World!

Posted on 26/05/2017 by Christine

Well okay, maybe not the world but the Coniston has been so popular over the years since Able Canopies begun manufacturing and installing it, that it has overtaken the length of many large monuments and public spaces. The Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy was in fact named after Coniston Water; the third largest lake in the Lake District and can you believe it, the canopy has overtaken the length of the lake itself almost 3 times over! Since we started manufacturing … Continue reading →

5 Myths of BIM demystified

Posted on 26/05/2017 by Kelvin Bathe

When any new process or way of working begins to take hold in an industry there will always be a fog of myth and misinformation that forms around it. Change brings resistance and with it reasons not to embrace the new world. Many of these arguments will have no basis in truth. It is like that with BIM, or Building Information Modelling to give it its full name. Even though it really came to prominence 15 years ago there is … Continue reading →