Making outdoor learning accessible
Our managed hire model is designed to minimise financial barriers, but we know that even a monthly fee needs to come from somewhere. Here's how settings are making it work.
No capital outlay required
Because our service operates on a monthly managed hire basis, there's no large upfront cost. This immediately opens doors that traditional outdoor classroom purchases close, no capital bids, no depreciation, no lump sums to find. For many settings, it's the difference between a two-year project and a phone call.
Where settings find the budget
Pupil Premium
Pupil premium funding is specifically designed to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. An outdoor classroom supports attendance, engagement, behaviour, and wellbeing, all areas where pupil premium spend is expected to have impact.
The managed nature of the service means there's no additional staff time required, making it a particularly efficient use of the funding.
Applies to: state-funded primaries and secondariesSEND & High-Needs Funding
For settings with identified SEND cohorts, an outdoor tipi provides a dedicated space for sensory regulation, emotional literacy, therapeutic support, and small group interventions. This aligns directly with EHCP outcomes and high-needs funding objectives.
A managed outdoor space can be referenced in EHCPs and annual reviews as part of the setting's SEND provision.
Applies to: all setting types with SEND provisionEYFS Capital & Revenue Grants
Local authorities periodically offer capital and revenue grants to early years settings for improving outdoor learning environments, expanding capacity, and enhancing provision quality. A managed outdoor tipi classroom directly supports EYFS framework outcomes around physical development, communication, and personal, social, and emotional development.
Applies to: nurseries, pre-schools, and early years settingsCurriculum Development Budgets
Schools allocate budget for curriculum enrichment and development each year. An outdoor classroom extends the curriculum into a space that transforms how subjects are taught, from science and literacy to PSHE and art. It's a curriculum investment, not an infrastructure cost.
Applies to: all school typesPTA, Fundraising & Community
Parent-teacher associations, community fundraising campaigns, and local charitable trusts are all viable routes for supplementing or fully covering the monthly hire cost. An outdoor tipi classroom is the kind of tangible, visible investment that engages parents and community supporters, they can see it, touch it, and watch their children learn in it.
Applies to: all setting typesLocal Authority & Trust Grants
Many local authorities and multi-academy trusts offer grants for outdoor learning, environmental improvement, wellbeing initiatives, and SEND provision enhancement. Availability varies by region and year, but the alignment between what we offer and what these grants support is consistently strong.
Applies to: all setting types, availability variesHow we support your case
We know that finding the budget is only half the challenge, you also need to build a case that satisfies governors, trustees, SLTs, or local authority panels. We're here to help with that, too.
Clear cost breakdown: We provide a transparent breakdown of costs with no hidden fees, making it straightforward to present to decision-makers.
Outcome mapping: We provide guidance to help your team articulate how the outdoor classroom supports your setting's objectives, useful for funding applications, inspection preparation, and governing body reports.
Compliance confidence: Our comprehensive documentation package demonstrates that the provision is safe, insured, inspected, and maintained, removing common objections from risk-conscious decision-makers.
Flexible conversations: Every setting's financial situation is different. We're always happy to discuss timing, phasing, and how to make the service work within your specific constraints.
Let's explore what works for your setting
We'd welcome a conversation about your budget, your funding options, and how we can help you build a case for a managed outdoor classroom.
Still exploring? Find out more about our range of tipis or see how we work with state schools, nurseries, and SEND settings.