The Mayor of Runnymede will place a time capsule in the wall of Strode’s College new Student Centre as the £3.2 million state-of-the-art buildings near completion.

Cllr Hugh Mears will lead the ceremonial celebration at the college on Thursday March 20 at 3pm when he places the time capsule in the wall of the new Student Centre near the main entrance. A special plaque will mark the spot.  

The contents of the capsule have been chosen by the students and will contain artefacts that reflect the lives of young people today and include a student handbook, poems and photographs.

Under the works programme, being completed by contractor Leadbitter, a number of old timber framed buildings where Law, Economics, Maths and English were taught have been demolished and will be replaced by two new two storey buildings providing a student centre and teaching facilities.

The Student Centre, where the time capsule will be preserved, will include a refectory, careers office and a series of student support services.

The Teaching Block, the second of the new buildings, will house 16 classrooms which will be fully equipped with modern IT facilities including interactive whiteboards and projectors. Other features include a light and airy atrium and staff work rooms. A range of subjects will be taught in the new building from English and Maths to Psychology, Economics and Philosophy.

Funding for the buildings, which will be ready for the new academic year in September 2008, has been provided from the College’s independent charitable trust, The Strode Foundation, with matched funding from the Learning and Skills Council and the College itself. 

"Strode’s has become increasingly popular as a sixth form destination amongst students from a wide geographic area," said the Principal of Strode’s College, Dr Frank Botham.

"I am delighted that the growing student body will now benefit from a huge improvement in facilities. The extra classroom and study facilities will contribute to our commitment to  continuously improvement our already impressive results while the new dedicated Student Centre will bring all our student support services under one roof as well as providing new leisure and recreational facilities."

"Leadbitter are delighted to be involved in the exciting redevelopment of Strode’s College, and are pleased to have the opportunity to bring the wealth of experience that we have in the delivery of education projects to the College" said David Cook, Regional Director of Leadbitter.

"The site progress achieved to date has been good, and the working relationship with the College team, Staff and Students alike bodes well for the challenges that lie ahead of us, and give every confidence that mutual success will be achieved and enjoyed."

"The College is quite clearly steeped in history, and it is most appropriate that incorporating a time capsule into the fabric of the building provides a historical reference point for future generations."