Outdoor Classrooms for Schools

Bespoke Outdoor Learning Spaces Designed for UK Schools, Nurseries & SEND Environments

WHY SCHOOLS INVEST IN OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS

Outdoor classrooms are one of the most effective ways schools, nurseries and colleges can expand their teaching space, support pupil wellbeing/welfare and create flexible learning environments outside the traditional classroom. An outdoor classroom is a purpose-built structure installed within a school's grounds that allows teaching and learning to take place outside, in a sheltered and structured environment. The structures can range from simple open-sided gazebos right up to fully enclosed and insulated buildings typically dependent upon the intended use and budget. As a company, we also specialise in eco outdoor classrooms where the building features in themselves are actually educational resources about environmental awareness and sustainability.

At Hideout House, we specialise in helping UK schools design and deliver outdoor classrooms that are practical, durable, and tailored to how schools actually use them day-to-day. Whatever their eventual application may be.

Over the past 15 years, we've worked with hundreds of schools and educational establishments across the UK — from small village primaries to large multi-academy trusts — supporting projects ranging from simple covered teaching areas to fully enclosed and insulated SEND inclusion spaces.

👉 Most schools come to us looking to solve one of three challenges:

A lack of internal space for teaching or intervention groups
The need for a quieter, calmer environment for SEND pupils
A desire to embed outdoor learning into the curriculum

Key benefits include:

✔ Additional teaching space without extending the main building
Often used as a cost-effective alternative to traditional extensions

✔ Improved focus and behaviour
Particularly effective for pupils who struggle in busy indoor environments

✔ Ideal for SEND and inclusion provision
Can be designed specifically as calm, low-stimulation environments

✔ Supports outdoor learning and wellbeing
Fresh air and natural surroundings have a proven positive impact on engagement

✔ Flexible, multi-use space
Used throughout the school day for different groups and activities

'The design of the outdoor classroom is so unique and so special. It has created a wonderful learning environment for the children.'
Katharine Eaton, Westdene Primary School

CHOOSE THE RIGHT OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Outdoor Classroom Gazebos

A comprehensive range of outdoor classroom buildings with a whole host of optional extras designed for outdoor learning skills

Enclosed Outdoor Classrooms

Enclosed outdoor classrooms to allow for all year round usage with options such as bi-fold doors and insulation

Hideout House Cabins

Uniquely designed Hobbit style outdoor classrooms and shelters for all year round use

Eco Outdoor Classrooms

The Eco Outdoor Classroom is both a functional and educational building all rolled into one.

Outdoor Classrooms Square and Rectangular

The Rectangular Outdoor Classroom follows on the theme of an educational and functional building all rolled into one

Rustic Style Outdoor Classrooms

Unique rustic and Gothic design of an enclosed outdoor classroom

The Eco Hub

The Eco Hub, like its cousin the Green Room, is both a functional and educational building all rolled into one and ideal for Forest School settings.

The Outdoor Classroom Pod

Why not add a touch of magic and originality to your playground or Forest School with our beautifully crafted and original Outdoor Classroom Pod

The Classroom Pod

The bigger version of our very popular outdoor classroom pods

Interesting Optional Extras

With all of our outdoor classroom buildings, we have put together a comprehensive range of unique optional extras.

Treehouses for Schools

Treehouses for school environments for outdoor play and outdoor learning programmes

Natural Outdoor Classrooms

Natural Outdoor Classrooms – The Indoor Classroom Outside

SEN Outdoor Classrooms

The SEN Outdoor Classroom is both a functional and sensory building all rolled into one.

Outdoor Classroom Amphitheatres

The Outdoor Classroom Amphitheatre for seating and performance

Outdoor Classrooms Combined

Gives you extra space by using two outdoor classroom buildings and linking them with a covered walkway.

Outdoor Classrooms with Canvas Roof

Outdoor classrooms with a heavy duty coated canvas roof

HOW MUCH DO OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS COST & TIMESCALES

One of the most common questions schools ask us is around cost and delivery. It is very difficult to package a definitive price on-line as there are so many variables involved, such as location of school, access to site, materials specified, size of the outdoor classroom and any options chosen.

👉 As a general guide:

Open sided gazebos typically start from £8,000–£15,000
Mid-range fully enclosed classrooms are often £15,000–£40,000
Larger or SEND-specific buildings can range from £27,000–£40,000+

Installation is usually:

5–10 working days on site depending on size and specification

'Excellent, friendly and helpful service. Could not have been better. Incredible value for money for a bespoke outdoor classroom of this level of quality.'
– Whitefriars Infant School, Rushden, Northants

DO YOU NEED PLANNING PERMISSION?

In many cases, outdoor classrooms can be installed with minimal disruption to the school day and in our experience, outdoor classrooms and school buildings can be installed under permitted development rights, meaning full planning permission may not be required. These rights allow schools to extend or add buildings within certain limits, helping projects move forward more quickly and with less complexity. We can advise your school on these stipulations within PDR.

You can find general guidance via the Planning Portal, and we're always happy to advise based on your specific site and requirements. But for a definitive answer, your school would always need to consult with your local planning authority. We are also able to help out with scaled drawings if so required as these form part of the planning application.

WE DESIGN AROUND HOW SCHOOLS ACTUALLY WANT TO USE THEM AND NOT AN OFF-THE SHELF PACKAGE

One of the biggest differences in our approach at Hideout House is that we don't just supply structures — we help schools with design spaces that genuinely work for their individual needs and that is why the majority of our installations have a bespoke element to them. And that is why too we offer such a comprehensive and unique range of options, including our very popular eco features.

For example:

Positioning to maximise supervision and accessibility
Orientation to reduce wind exposure and improve comfort – especially if your school is having wind and solar power packages
Layout and floor plans to support group sizes and teaching styles
Integration with existing playgrounds and outdoor areas

We also provide visual design concepts so schools can clearly see how the finished space will look in-situ before committing.

'Simon's approach was outstanding. He took the time to listen, understand our school's needs, and adapt designs that truly
reflect our vision. His creativity, professionalism, and deep understanding of how children use outdoor spaces have
transformed our Early Years outdoor environments. I highly recommend Simon and The Hideout House for any school looking
to reimagine their outdoor learning areas.'
– Ben Conway, Executive Headteacher, Aspire Academies Trust

Case Studies – some of our outdoor classroom projects for a range of schools across the UK.

Outdoor Learning Hub at Bressingham Primary

Eco hub at Kisharon Noe School

Outdoor Classroom at Morden Primary School

Downloads

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does installation take?

It very much depends on what product we are supplying and whether it has multiple options chosen for the build. Typically, an outdoor classroom gazebo can be installed within 3-4 days and 7-10 days for a large, fully enclosed and insulated building

What on-going maintenance is required?

Very little. All of our outdoor classroom buildings are treated with a grade 4 tannalith to give superior protection and longevity. However, we would recommend that every few years or so, the external timbers are treated with a wood preservative which are widely and commercially available. It is also worth checking the felt shingle roof tiles every six months or so to see if there has been any slippage especially after a period of strong winds

What is the expected lifespan?

If treated regularly, you should expect to see the life expectancy of our outdoor classrooms in excess of 20+ years and this is mainly due to the quality of the build and the high grade materials we use in their manufacture

Do they require planning permission?

In the majority of cases, outdoor classrooms can be built under permitted development rights but there are certain stipulations to this which we can advise on. However, we would like to stress that we are not planning consultants and any decision on whether planning is required is down to your local authority which you would need to check prior to build. But we can certainly offer you advice in this respect based on our 20 years of experience of supplying these buildings to schools. If planning is required, we are able to help with supplying scaled drawings of our buildings which are required as part of the planning application

Can outdoor classrooms be installed during term time?

Yes, very much so and we are installing the whole time in school playgrounds during term time. We go through our working procedures with you in advance of our arrival and request that you complete an installation check sheet. We will also furnish you with RAMS (risk assessment and method statement) and our installers are DBS checked. We do our best to ensure minimal disturbance to the school day.

What factors affect the price of an outdoor classroom?

There are quite a few variables to consider in this respect. The main ones are size of the building, optional extras chosen, materials used, location (for delivery and installation), groundworks and site issues such as access and ground conditions. We can advise you regarding all of these to ensure you have the building you want, at a price within budget

Can outdoor classrooms be customised to suit our needs?

Yes, very much so and that is the reason they are modular and why we offer such a diverse and varied range of options – including educational renewable energy equipment, water butt and roof guttering, roll-down window and door panels, in-built planters, solid wall panels, access ramps, extended decking areas etc