School pupils bury fascinating time capsule for future classmates of 2074 

School pupils bury fascinating time capsule for future classmates of 2074 

Newhouse Academy has buried a time capsule in the grounds of a new building at the school to ensure future students can take a time-travelling peek into 2024 school life, thanks to an inititative by the humanities department.

Current students from the Heywood school were invited to participate in a competition to suggest items that best represent their experiences and the essence of school life today. 

The most fitting and representative ideas were selected by the staff, along with contributions from the humanities department, to be included in the time capsule.

The event, held on Friday 5 July in collaboration with Morgan Sindall, was attended by Mayor Councillor Shakil Ahmed and Consort to the Mayor, Councillor Rachel Massey. 

They met with the competition winners and engaged in discussions about how school life might evolve by 2074. 

They also reflected on the significant changes in education over recent years, especially the impact of home schooling and remote learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The time capsule serves as a bridge between the present and the future, offering a snapshot of contemporary school life and preserving it for the students of tomorrow.

Senior project manager, Justin Kay and marketing manager Alison Pernavas from Morgan Sindall, Stephen Drury from the Department for Education, Newhouse Academy governors and headteacher Alex Burnham also attended the ceremony.

One of the school’s main values and part of the Student Charter is to ‘leave a legacy’. This project encompasses the idea of legacy and will enable future students at Newhouse Academy to gain an insight into school life in 2024.

Some items included in the time capsule was a selection of letters and photographs from current students, a copy of the academy’s timetable, ‘Our People’ school magazines, Student Charter and prospectus, a detention slip, certificates and awards, some text books and exam papers, uniform items, some popular current teen novels and a letter from the headteacher.

After a few words from Mr Burnham the time capsule was buried during a ceremony in the grounds of the new building and will be opened by the students who inhabit the building in 2074.

Construction of the new building is almost complete and it will open to students in September. They will have access to state-of-the-art learning facilities for science subjects, technology subjects, performing arts and sports, plus brand new dining facilities.