A PHOTOGRAPH showing the first pupils to join Forest and Sandridge Primary School in 1875 is one of the many mementoes being buried in a time capsule under the new school.

In less than four months time, the 420 capacity school at Cranesbill Road, Melksham, will open its doors to pupils with the current school at Sandridge Common set to be demolished.

To preserve memories and the history of the 140-year-old building, youngsters came up with the idea to collect items, including; pictures, school uniform, books, CDs and a list of school values to store under the new site and be opened in 50 years time.

It was bought by Forest Friends and on Friday a pupil from each class donned their hard hats and Hi-Vis jackets to watch it be buried. The Christian school also had the items blessed the day before in a special assembly by Rev Alison Sowton from St Andrew's Parish Church.

Deputy headteacher Helen Biles-Wood said: “The time capsule is one way we are planning to celebrate the past of the school whilst looking to the future in the new building.

“It is very important to us that the history of Forest and Sandridge is not forgotten. We also wanted to ensure that all the foundations that our school is built on remain with us in the new building.”

The youngsters have also been keeping parents and the local community up-to-date about the progress of the new school by blogging online at: forestsandridge.co.uk

The new primary school is set to have 14 classrooms, a nursery, a hard sports area and two grass football pitches as well as a two halls. The school’s changing facilities will be available for public use, and the hall will be accessible for community use at evenings and weekends.