Something Old and Something New to be Buried in School Time Capsule

Students at a school which is involved in the council’s £61 million expansion programme has been preparing to bury a time capsule to mark the early completion of the works.

The young pupils at Geoffrey Field Infant School were asked to give their suggestions of what should be put in the capsule which is to be buried on-site on Tuesday 19th January.

The theme of the project was ‘Then & Now’ with links to the year the Exbourne Road school was built in 1949.

The capsule will contain items with historical significance, such as a photograph of the original school being built, a picture of children in the school at that time, a picture of Alderman Geoffrey Field who officially opened the school and a CD of music from 1949.

Modern day items will include: photos of the latest build in progress, a current class timetable, pupils’ comments about the school, photos of current pupils in class and on trips, a memory stick containing the school video, a staff photo and a school newsletter for January 2016.

The building programme at the school has included a new block containing a nursery and reception classrooms, a refurbished staff room and an outdoor play area.

Neighbouring Geoffrey Field Junior School has received a two-storey classroom extension, improved car park and refurbished staff room.

The works at both schools have been finished ahead of schedule and the new buildings are now in use.

Councillor Tony Jones, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Education, said:

“The pupils at Geoffrey Field Infant School have been very creative and selected some great items to go into their time capsule.

“This is one of a number of fun activities involving children as the building expansion project takes place in their school. Not only is the programme providing modern new facilities for more children but the youngsters are also learning from the project in many ways.”

Sue Farrow, Headteacher at Geoffrey Field Infant School, said:

“We are thrilled with the new building and additional facilities.

“Planning what was to go in the time capsule has really made us think about our school and the messages we want to pass on to future generations.”