Wiltshire children bury time capsule at new school in Rowde

A group of children from a special educational needs (SEN) school buried a time capsule as a ‘bridge to the future’.

Silverwood School is set to be the largest 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 containing objects and letters from the children.

“The capsule, filled with input from students, teachers and community members, will serve as a bridge between the present and the future,” a school spokesman said.

The children, who were “really excited” to be involved, were tasked with writing letters to their future selves.

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

“There were some fantastic letters 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 will be the first person to take it out.”

Sean McKeown, chief executive at the school, said: “There are some amazing objects out there for someone to discover in the future.”

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

It teaches children and young people with a wide range of different needs, from four to 19 years old.

The new £38.5 million 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 looks great,” chief executive Sean McKeown said.