School time capsule to be 'bridge to the future'

A group of children at a special educational needs (SEN) school have buried a time capsule as a "bridge to the future".

Silverwood School is set to be the biggest SEN school when its new campus, based in Rowde, Wiltshire, is completed in September.

A ceremony was held at the new site this week to bury the time capsule which contains objects and letters from the children.

"The capsule, filled with contributions from pupils, teachers, and community members, will serve as a bridge between the present and the future," said a spokesperson from the school.

The children, who were "very excited" to be involved, were tasked with writing letters to their future selves.

Terri Chard, head of learning at the school, said: "There were lots of nice messages like ‘I hope you have lots of friends around you still’.

“There were some fantastic letters all about what they want the school to look like and what they want their education to look like in the future."

Janice, a student involved in the burial ceremony, said: “I wonder who’s going to be the first person to dig it out."

Sean McKeown, executive headteacher at the school, said: "There’s some amazing objects in there for somebody in the future to uncover.”

Silverwood brings together three smaller campuses in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Rowdeford - which formed in 2020.

It teaches children and young people with a range of different needs, from the ages of four to 19.

The new £38.5m campus will include a two-storey teaching building with a hydrotherapy pool, a new all-weather sports pitch, playing fields and parking.

“We’re very, very happy, and very excited about it - it’s looking great," executive headteacher, Sean McKeown said.

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