A SCHOOL uniform, dried pasta and CDs form the eclectic mix placed into a time capsule by students at a York school.

Joseph Rowntree School is having a new school built which will open in February. Year 11 students have buried a time capsule under a paving slab in the area which forms the entrance to the new school – which is next to the current buildings in New Earswick.

In the capsule the students have placed a school uniform, school prospectus, dried pasta – to illustrate a popular food – and items which are common in school lunches.

There are also CDs and memory sticks with hard copies. All the items have been carefully wrapped to preserve them and it is hoped future generations will eventually discover them.

Maggi Wright, head teacher at the school, said, “It is exciting to be involved in the making of history and at the same time paving the way with our Building Schools for the Future Programme.

“Our students have thought very carefully about what to put into the time capsule and although they have included CDs and memory sticks, quite rightly they have printed hard copies too, as obviously when someone digs this up in the future, technology will have moved on so much these items will be unrecognisable.”

The design of the new school is based around a central “indoor street” that links the heart of the school with several departmental areas as well as outdoor learning areas. The department areas, which accommodate different subject disciplines, provide a number of teaching spaces, together with an area for informal learning and socialising.

The design is up for two awards in the Building Schools for the Future awards for the Most Versatile Learning Environment title, while designers Carillion, City of York Council and the school have been nominated in the Innovation in Student Engagement category.

Mrs Wright said: “The new flagship school is a superb design, which is the result of a great deal of consultation by all stakeholders.

“It greatly enhances opportunities for teaching and learning as well as being a real asset for community use. We are so lucky and privileged to be part of this whole project as well as having this fantastic building to enjoy each day. “Each visit I make to the building, I am inspired by the design, the interpretation coming out of the consultation, the skill alongside the professionalism and dedication which our Carillion Team and City of York Council Team are showing.”