OA Hemsworth Plants Time Capsule As Multi-Million Pounds Building Work Nears Completion

A Pontefract-based secondary school is marking its transformation by burying a time capsule.

The work on a major multi-million pound development at Outwood Academy Hemsworth, based on Wakefield Road, is almost complete with the hope that students will be able to benefit from the new facilities before the end of the calendar year.

The highlight of the project is the construction of a new 17 classroom teaching block that will house music and drama rooms, art rooms, a main hall and a dining room.

To mark this stage of the development, staff and students at the academy have buried a time capsule.

Toby Rutter, Principal at Outwood Academy Hemsworth, said:

“This is a hugely exciting time for us. It has been brilliant to see the work taking place, and seeing the progress at each stage. 

“The idea of a time capsule was one which the students really got behind and while it was a special day burying it, I can only imagine the excitement that will be about on the day that it resurfaces. It is wonderful that we have first class facilities that will enhance students' talents and help them achieve their potential.”

The time capsule contained a variety of things including questionnaires that were answered by some of the current students talking about their hopes and dreams for the future, as well as their ambitions and to mark the current era they discussed the pandemic. This included details of how the students have handled the pandemic as well as passing on advice to the next generations. 

Also included were messages from the members of staff who shared the memories of their time at the academy and especially the last 12 months.

Marshall Johnson, a Year 7 student at Outwood Academy Hemsworth, said: “I feel happy about the time capsule and I believe that it will be a good thing for the school because in the future we will be able to see and remember what we did in the past.”