Outdoor Classroom Hire FAQseverything you need to know

Every local authority is different, but in our experience no tipi from our manufacturer has ever been refused planning permission. Our tipis come with full independent structural calculations already completed, which we provide as part of your documentation pack. We confirm the specific requirements for your area during your complimentary site visit and handle any paperwork needed.

Our tipis are built for the British climate. The waterproofing is woven directly into the canvas during manufacturing, it never needs reproofing, unlike many outdoor structures. They're wind-resistant, breathable, and comfortable year-round. Our seasonal transformations adapt the space for winter warmth and summer ventilation. In genuinely extreme conditions, we provide clear guidance on safe use.

Most installations are completed in a single day. Depending on the size and any groundworks needed, we can have your outdoor classroom installed in as little as two weeks from first enquiry. The fastest we've done it: Push Forward Primary School went from first enquiry to a finished classroom in eight working days. We arrange a time that suits your setting, coordinate with your team, and handle everything from ground preparation to final safety checks. Your team receives a full induction on the day.

No foundations are needed. Sustainability is central to how we work: the tipi can be moved, relocated, or removed entirely with no trace left behind in your grounds. Where a site does need groundworks — levelling, a decking base, access improvements — we partner with one of the UK’s largest grounds maintenance companies to support the work. We scope it during your complimentary site visit and arrange everything, so nothing lands on your team’s list.

Yes. A well-managed outdoor learning space demonstrates commitment to holistic child development, risk assessment, and environmental learning, all areas Ofsted and ISI value. Your inspector will see evidence of intentional outdoor provision, qualified supervision, and progression through outdoor activities. We can provide compliance documentation and inspection guidance.

Absolutely. We work with nursery groups and school chains with multiple locations. We can install and manage tipis across several sites, coordinate shared training, and provide consistent service. Each site gets dedicated support and monthly inspections.

Yes. Every member of our team holds an enhanced DBS check.

Yes. Outdoor spaces like tipis are powerful for SEND. The sensory environment, flexible structure, and connection to nature support children with autism, anxiety, social communication needs, and more. We work with SEND settings to create outdoor provision that's calming, engaging, and therapeutic. Chat with us about how a tipi could support your learners.

Our managed hire service starts from £195 per month for a forest school shelter, with our enclosed outdoor classroom tipis priced based on size and configuration. Every price includes installation, monthly safety inspections, ongoing maintenance, four seasonal transformations per year, full compliance documentation, and staff training. There are no hidden extras, no setup fees, and no surprises. We're happy to provide a tailored quote based on your setting's needs.

Yes. If you’re holding a capital grant that must be spent as capital, or you simply prefer ownership, you can purchase your tipi outright through Beehive — and we wrap the full managed service into the same agreement. You own the structure; we keep handling the compliance, maintenance and seasonal transformations for as long as you want. One supplier, one contract, and none of the ongoing burden that comes with buying direct. Quotes are tailored to your site — get in touch.

Every installation comes with a comprehensive documentation package designed for inspection readiness. This covers structural safety, regulatory alignment with EYFS 2025, the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework, ISI frameworks, and KCSIE 2025. It includes risk assessments, maintenance and inspection logs, conditions of use, and guidance on how the space supports each area inspectors evaluate. Everything is provided, maintained, and updated by us, your team doesn't need to produce any of it.

We offer seven standalone outdoor classroom tipis ranging from 33 to 132 square metres of covered area, two open-sided forest school shelters, and linked configurations for even bigger spaces. Our most popular option is The Lodge, a 33 square metre outdoor classroom with an integrated door, though we have sizes to suit everything from intimate calm zones to grand multi-zone teaching spaces. Every tipi is manufactured by Tentipi in Sweden.

Our tipis fit class and group sizes from 10 right through to over 150. The smallest forest school shelters suit groups of around 10–15; our standalone classrooms comfortably hold full classes of 25–30; and linked configurations go much further — our flagship installation at Cransley School has room for over 150 children, hosting everything from whole-school assemblies to the school’s festivals and events. See the full range for sizes.

Our tipis are manufactured by Tentipi, a Swedish company with decades of expertise in Nordic tipi engineering. The poles are precision machined timber, strong, sustainable, and beautiful. The canvas is heavy duty, with waterproofing woven into the fabric during manufacturing (it never needs reproofing). The structures are designed to stand year round in the most demanding climates, making them ideal for the British weather.

Yes. Because there's no capital outlay, our managed hire model fits within existing operational budgets. Many state schools fund their outdoor classroom through pupil premium, SEND funding, curriculum development budgets, or PTA contributions. We're happy to help you explore funding options and build a case for your SLT or governing body. Visit our Funding Support page for more detail.

Four times a year, our team visits your setting to completely refresh the interior of your tipi. Each season brings new décor, resources, and sensory elements designed to reflect the natural world outside, from spring wildflower themes to cosy winter warmth. It keeps the space feeling fresh, gives children new stimuli to explore, and means your outdoor classroom evolves throughout the year without any effort from your team.

We understand that different settings have different needs and budget cycles. We're always happy to discuss timing, phasing, and how the service can be structured to work within your specific situation. Get in touch and we'll find an approach that works for you.

Yes. We agree the term together up front — many settings choose multi-year terms for continuity — and the agreement is built to flex with your setting: you can scale up, relocate the tipi within your grounds, or simply end the agreement. Because our tipis need no foundations, removal leaves no trace in your grounds. We’d rather have that conversation openly at the start than bury it in paperwork.

Yes, fully. We carry comprehensive public liability insurance and product liability insurance. Details are included in your compliance documentation pack and are available on request at any time.