A piece of Walton Academy history was placed into the ground today as students and staff gathered in the academy garden for the burial of our diamond anniversary time capsule – bringing together a journey of community, celebration and reflection that has unfolded over the past two years.
The capsule will now remain beneath the Walton Garden for the next 40 years, before being unearthed in 2066 as part of the academy’s centenary celebrations.
For those who open it, the capsule will provide a snapshot of life at Walton in 2026. But the place in which it has been buried has its own story to tell – one that has become closely connected with Walton’s diamond anniversary and the generations of people who have helped shape the academy.
From an idea to a lasting legacy
The story began during community week in July 2024, when a previously unused stretch of land alongside the academy kitchen began its transformation into the Walton Garden.
The vision of Walton Academy’s Assistant Principal, Mr Mike Hoad, the project was created around sustainability, reducing food miles and increasing biodiversity, while giving students opportunities to develop practical skills and learn more about horticulture and the natural environment.
Around 30 students from across the academy helped bring the initial plans to life, supported by staff, governors, local organisations and businesses. What began as a community week project quickly grew into something much bigger.
Over the following year, the space continued to develop through the dedication of Walton’s gardening club and student volunteers, eventually becoming a thriving garden and orchard, and an important part of academy life.
Celebrating 60 years
In July 2025, the garden became the setting for another important moment in Walton’s history when students, staff, governors, sponsors and members of the wider community gathered for its formal opening.
The event also marked the beginning of Walton Academy’s diamond jubilee year.
The garden was formally opened by Mr Nick Hamilton of Barnsdale Gardens, while a tree and plaque were dedicated in memory of former Chair of Governors Mr Brian Buttery.
Walton’s orchard was also unveiled, with 20 trees dedicated to members of staff who had each given more than two decades of service to the academy – creating a permanent connection between the garden and the people who have contributed to Walton’s story.
Connecting Walton’s past and present
The next chapter came in January 2026, when former pupils who attended Walton in 1966 returned to Kitty Briggs Lane to mark 60 years since the school moved to its current site.
It was a morning filled with memories, stories and connections between generations. Former pupils brought treasured items from their school days, including an original leather satchel, exercise book, school offer letter and report, while current students interviewed visitors and showed them how Walton had changed.
During the celebration, the academy officially launched its time capsule project.
The capsule and some of the first items collected for it were presented to guests before the wider Walton community was invited to contribute to creating a record of academy life during its diamond anniversary year.
From the beginning, there was one final destination in mind: the Walton Garden.
A moment for the future
Today, during community week 2026, that journey came full circle.
Students and staff gathered around the prepared site in the garden as the Principal, Miss Jess Leonard reflected on the significance of the occasion before placing the first spadeful of soil over the time capsule.
Performing arts students marked the moment with a fitting performance of Welcome to the 60s from Hairspray, before members of Walton’s gardening club – whose work has played such an important part in the development of the garden – completed the burial.
Beneath the soil now lies a collection representing Walton Academy in 2026, preserved for students and staff who may not walk through our doors for decades to come.
The capsule will remain there until 2066, when Walton celebrates 100 years on its Kitty Briggs Lane site.
By then, the garden around it will have changed and grown, just as Walton itself will continue to evolve. The trees planted during our diamond anniversary will be 40 years older and generations of students will have passed through the academy.
But beneath them will remain this small piece of Walton in 2026, waiting to tell its story.
From the first students who helped transform an unused piece of ground in 2024, to the opening of the garden and orchard, the return of our 1966 pupils and today’s burial, the project has become a lasting symbol of Walton’s past, present and future.
Today, we have preserved a moment in Walton’s history for the generations who will one day celebrate its centenary.
