Covered Entrance Canopy for Ash Field Academy

Ash Field Academy, Leicester

Bailey Street Furniture Group provided a retro-fitted, bespoke entrance canopy to enhance accessibility and safety for pupils and staff at Ash Field Academy, a specialist school in Leicester.

The Setting

Ash Field Academy is a specialist school dedicated to providing high-quality education and support for pupils aged 4 to 19 with complex health and medical needs. The school accommodates a wide range of cognitive abilities, from pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) to those with more Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD). Recognised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted, Ash Field Academy is committed to helping each pupil achieve their fullest potential, lead an independent life, and make a positive contribution to society.

To ensure the comfort and safety of pupils and staff, Ash Field Academy needed a covered entrance canopy for morning drop-offs and end-of-day collections. Given the number of specialised wheelchair-accessible buses in daily use, the school required a spacious, weather-proof structure to facilitate safe and efficient pick-up and drop-off processes. This canopy would help protect pupils from adverse weather conditions, which is especially critical given their complex health needs.

The Solution

Our Team designed and installed a multifaceted bespoke entrance canopy and covered walkway that wraps around the school’s entrance and seamlessly covers the pathways around the building's exterior, merging smoothly with the new sections of the school building. Tailored to meet Ash Field Academy’s specific needs, the canopy offers ample shelter for both students and vehicles, creating a safe, comfortable environment for drop-off and pick-up times.

Key Features of the Canopy

• Custom Entrance Canopy & Walkway: The design extends across the entrance, providing maximum protection from rain, wind, and colder temperatures.
• Sturdy, Weather-Resistant Structure: The canopy is built to withstand British weather, ensuring durability and year-round use.
• Aesthetic Integration: The structure has been powder coated to match the school colours and installation is flush with the existing school paving and architecture, resulting in a clean, professional finish that complements the school’s facilities.

Items Chosen:

• Bespoke Entrance Canopy / Covered Walkway

Outcome

The new covered entrance canopy at Ash Field Academy exemplifies a carefully considered design that required a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team to safely and successfully deliver this project,  perfectly meeting the needs of pupils with special educational requirements. This structure aligns with the school’s commitment to exceptional care, providing a safer, more independent, and welcoming environment regardless of weather. By shielding pupils from rain and cold, the canopy reduces health risks, minimises slips and trips with a dry, sheltered entrance, and improves accessibility by accommodating wheelchair-accessible buses, allowing for smoother daily routines.

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