Member Article

Time capsule event captures opening week at Marleigh Primary Academy

The first week of the academic year for the brand-new Marleigh Primary Academy was celebrated with the burial of a time capsule to mark the arrival of the school’s first pupils.

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambridge business delivered the £9.7 million project on schedule. Set across two floors, the two-form entry school will provide 16 high-end classrooms, as well as a library, dining area and bathroom facilities, creating an inspiring learning environment for children embarking on their school careers.

Influenced by the vision and values of the school’s multi academy trust, Anglian Learning, the new primary school is at the heart of the Marleigh community and this was reflected by the event’s attendees.   

Headteacher, Mike Fish welcomed guests to the event, including the CEO of Anglian Learning Jonathan Culpin, Chairman Councillor Stephen Ferguson of Cambridgeshire County Council, and senior representatives from Morgan Sindall Construction, RH Partnerships Architects, The Hill Group, and Marshall Group. 

Jonathan Culpin, CEO of Anglian Learning said: “As a Trust, we have looked forward to this day for a long time.  It has been a wonderful celebration of seeing our vision become a reality as Marleigh Primary Academy opened its doors to our pupils and their families.”   

Mike Fish, Headteacher said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed participating in this joyous occasion.  They really enjoyed thinking about what life will be like in 50 years time and were very creative in their contributions to go into the box.” 

Chairman Councillor Stephen Ferguson of Cambridgeshire County Council said: “As an engineer myself, I am delighted to celebrate the opening of a fantastic new school with a focus on STEM.  I can’t think of a more inspirational location than this, just across the road from Marshall Group, one of Cambridgeshire’s most innovative and dedicated employers of engineers.”    This event not only brought together all parties involved in the creation and building of the new school along with members of the local community, but it also laid the foundations to connect multiple generations in the future.  By placing key items inside a time capsule such as poems from pupils, items reflecting The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, and mementos from The Hill Group and Morgan Sindall Construction, this grand occasion and period of time will be remembered for years to come. 

The time capsule is to lay untouched for 50 years, when a future generation of pupils will uncover the interesting artefacts, rediscovering what life was like at the inception of this dynamic new primary school.  Pupils and teachers will be able to reflect upon the legacy that was created, while continuing the shared vision to empower a community of inspired learners. 

Jamie Shearman, Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambridge Area Director, said: “It was a privilege to see so many stakeholders and members of the local community come together to celebrate this vital project’s completion.  At Morgan Sindall Construction, we understand the importance of delivering state-of-the-art educational facilities that inspire children and provide them with the best start to their learning lives.  It has been a pleasure to work so closely with Cambridgeshire County Council and Anglian Learning in delivering this first-class specialist school and we cannot wait for the pupils to see the final development.” 

Greg Hill, Deputy Chief Executive for The Hill Group comments: “We are very pleased to have worked with Marleigh Primary Academy School on this unique project and provide something memorable from our recent Platinum Jubilee celebration event for the capsule.  Marleigh offers much more than just a development of homes; we are very passionate about creating new communities and homes that will stand the test of time and this event has been a wonderful way to celebrate another important chapter at Marleigh with the opening of the school.”   

Richard Howe, Managing Director, Marshall Group Properties comments: “We are delighted to see our shared vision for the Marleigh Primary Academy brought to life as the school takes its place at the heart of the new community, providing an exceptional learning environment for current and future generations of Marleigh children.”    Kevin Myers, Director, R H Partnership Architects said: “Designing a new school that creates a focal point for a new community is a great privilege.  The new school and nursery will offer an outstanding environment both indoors and outdoors to excite and engage children in their learning.  

“R H Partnership Architects has contributed architectural drawings of the school to the time capsule.  We wish the school every success in their first term.” 

The journey has just begun for Marleigh Primary Academy and there are many opportunities planned for pupils to embark along a path of inspirational and empowering education.   

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .