High school history buried for 50 years

In 50 years’ time a snapshot of school life in 2024 will be revealed when a time capsule is unearthed at Whitworth Community High School.

The capsule is being buried as work on the new school building is almost complete at the Hall Fold site.

Headteacher Andrew Oliver said: “We had actually looked after the old building well, but the new school looks more professional so students are ready for learning.

“The rooms have been arranged into faculties, making them easier to find, and we have also invested in better equipment.”

Inside the time capsule, which was donated to the school by main contractor Wates Construction, the students placed a school tie, reward badges, a PE kit and attainment cards.

A copy of The Whitworth Whistle was put inside along with the current school prospectus, policies and the book Year 7 is currently reading ‘The Dark Side’ and a selection of photographs were included along with a USB in a sealed container with many more images.

Chair of governors Christine Wright said: “Whether, when it is uncovered in 50 years’ time, they will still be able to access the photos on USB remains to be seen.”

The building project was funded as part of the previous Government’s £1 billion School Rebuilding Programme and the school remained fully operational while the works were carried out.

In February 2022, while construction work for the two and three storey building was ongoing, students had their artwork enlarged and put on hoardings, now the final exterior works are being completed Wates Construction will hand the whole site over.

Some of the school’s senior Year 11 prefect students helped to fill the time capsule and reflected on the improvements they now enjoy that the new building is fully up and running.

Darcey Ellis said: “We have a lot newer and better facilities in the new building. It is easier to find your way around.”

Daisy Buckley said: “This building is a better design and very well laid out and a lot easier to work out where you are going.”

The students talked about how the old building had rooms that were not sequential, so it could be confusing for new starters at school, They said as the new building was very organised.

Joe Copley added: “Teachers’ offices are now really easy to find whereas in the old school it was really difficult to work out where the teachers were.”

Joe used a shovel that had been given to the school to cut the first turf as work began on the rebuild to add the first bit of soil around the capsule as it was buried.

The capsule will have a sign installed explaining that it is to be dug up in 2074.