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Dulwich Prep London – School Shading Solutions & Outdoor Learning Canopies

Creating Cooler, Safer and More Flexible Learning Environments

Founded in 1885, Dulwich Prep London is one of the UK’s leading independent prep schools, educating over 850 pupils aged 3 to 13. As part of their continued commitment to pupil wellbeing and modern teaching, the school wanted to improve classroom cooling, reduce glare, and provide shaded outdoor learning spaces that could be used year-round.

The project formed part of their wider investment in learning environments – ensuring that both pupils and staff benefit from a safe, comfortable and compliant setting in line with the school’s duty of care.

The Challenge

Classrooms were experiencing excessive heat and glare, particularly during summer months, disrupting lessons and pupil focus.
Outdoor areas lacked suitable school canopies or shading, limiting outdoor teaching and recreation.
The school needed robust, low-maintenance systems designed specifically for educational use.
With growing awareness of grant funding for school shading solutions and government initiatives promoting climate-resilient education spaces, the team wanted to future-proof their investment and explore available funding support.

The Solution

Following a free site consultation, our design team specified and installed four motorised retractable awning systems for schools, creating an effective balance of comfort, control and usability.

Each awning was installed with a galvanised steel goal-post frame, buried 1 metre into the ground for long-term stability, and featured:

Powder-coated aluminium frames in a finish matching the school’s architecture
Durable waterproof PVC fabric offering UV protection and easy maintenance
Somfy remote and wall-mounted controls for effortless operation
Wind sensors for automatic safety retraction in high winds
Integrated guttering systems to channel rainwater away from teaching areas

These custom-made school awnings provided the perfect balance of shade and light control, while enhancing the visual appeal of the school’s buildings.

The Results

Over 90 m² of shaded outdoor space now supports outdoor learning, assemblies and play, helping pupils engage more with nature while staying protected from the sun.
Indoor classrooms now benefit from significantly reduced heat gain, creating a calmer, more focused environment and supporting overall wellbeing.
The school demonstrated its commitment to its duty of care, ensuring all learning spaces are safe and comfortable.
By exploring available grants for shading in schools, Dulwich Prep London maximised its investment in sustainable infrastructure that will serve pupils for years to come.

Why Shading Solutions Matter for Schools

Schools across the UK are increasingly recognising the need to protect students from heat exposure and create flexible outdoor learning spaces. Investing in professional school shading systems, playground canopies and classroom blinds offers multiple benefits:

Helps meet health and safety and duty of care obligations
Supports government-backed sustainability and classroom cooling initiatives
Improves pupil concentration and wellbeing
Enables year-round outdoor learning and recreation

Full Turnkey Service for Schools

At Broadview, we provide complete end-to-end shading solutions for schools - from initial design and free consultation to expert installation (including groundworks if required) and full after-sales care.

Our experience includes projects across Southern England, from small primary playgrounds to large independent schools. We specialise in bespoke school canopies, pergolas, awnings and internal classroom blinds that enhance comfort, safety and aesthetics.

Get in touch to book your free consultation and learn how we can help your school benefit from funded classroom cooling and shading solutions.

Get help with your project

If you'd like a member of our team to give you a call to talk through your requirements just contact us and we'll be in touch as soon as possible.

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