Ark Tindal Primary Academy in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, has transformed school days for its pupils by installing a large 'shade sail' in the playground last year, making a "huge difference" during hot weather. The school has relaxed uniform requirements, allowing PE kit in heat, and the canopy enabled it to remain open during last month's heatwave, unlike some other Birmingham schools that closed due to temperatures exceeding 30°C.
Pupils Praise Shade Sail
School pupil Khadijah described the addition as "really helpful," adding, "Everyone crowds around that place when it's sunny, so it is really helpful. It will help lots of children focus on their learning and not toast in the sun." Classmate Jouairiya noted, "The canopy makes a big difference because I remember two years ago, when it was boiling like 35°C, we'd all have to sit, maybe like the grass area over there, most of the time because that's where most of the trees were." She also expressed concern about tree loss in her neighborhood near Balsall Heath Park, saying, "I've seen loads of people cutting down trees. When I walk from home I have to take the other road because that's where it's more shady."
School Leadership on Impact
Dr Claire Smith, operations manager and sustainability lead at the school, said she and her colleagues noticed a "huge difference" since the canopy was installed last year. "We're surrounded by brick on all sides, so it gets incredibly hot here in the summer when the sun's beating down on the playground," she explained. "We went out to lots of contractors - we wanted to go down a natural route so we went for a wooden structure in our [green] school colours. It's essential to get children outside as much as possible. Their behaviour is so much better when they get the chance to run off some energy at lunchtime, so I think structures like this that make the outside accessible throughout the year make a huge difference."
Future Plans for Greener Playground
At the suggestion of the Gardening Club and the school's Eco Council, which has two representatives from each class, Ark Tindal is seeking funding to plant trees in the playground. This initiative aims to create more shade and address poor air quality. The school already has an air quality monitoring station in the main playground, and at the end of the day, pupils on the Eco Council conduct parking patrols to encourage parents to stop idling their engines outside the school gates.
