Pupils Create Time Capsule Roof Tiles Ready for Re-Roof

PUPILS WERE given the chance to make their mark on their school’s roof replacement by decorating their own clay roof tiles.

Children from Alfred Sutton Primary School in Reading have added to the school’s 123-year history by creating a time capsule roof.

Time-Capsule Roof Tiles

The children and their teachers were invited to decorate the back of the BMI Redland Rosemary Craftsman tiles with permanent markers and sign the back. The decorated tiles will be placed alongside the other 65,000 tiles expected to be used in the re-roof.

Designs on the roof tiles included pictures of children’s hobbies, pets and computer game characters. Other children wrote to future pupils asking questions, such as whether they have flying cars or if people now lived on Mars.

The project is part of the Council’s ongoing programme of works to upgrade some of Reading’s older Victorian school buildings.

Re-Roof

The work at the school is being carried out by Salnor Roofing and started in June 2025 and involves the eventual full replacement of the roof of the junior building.

Paul Norgate, Director at Salnor Roofing, said: “This is an ongoing sequenced programme of work, with roof sections being worked at one at a time as each roof needs scaffolding erected with crash decks to ensure nothing can fall below onto the buildings. Our team of up to nine roofers at any one time will be onsite until next Easter. The project team is ensuring there is as little disruption to the school as possible as it remains open throughout.”

Work will include the addition of further insulation, windows, doors, and guttering will also be replaced.

Original Ridge Tiles

The school building is a local non-designated heritage asset and the original ornamental ridge tiles, the exact pattern of which is unique to the local area, will be retained.

Any of the other tiles which are in good condition will be reclaimed and reused for smaller re-roofing projects, while those in poor condition will be recycled into hardcore.

Members of the project team, which includes HP Contracts Ltd, have delivered assemblies about the project to pupils This has included introducing children to what happens on a live building site and how to stay safe.

Time-Capsule Roof

Robert Howell, Executive Head of Alfred Sutton Primary School, said: “The children have loved being part of a live time capsule event where their pictures and messages will be part of the roof and revealed in possibly 100-years-time when they need replacing again. It means their names will forever be enshrined in the history of Alfred Sutton which is a lovely thing.

“This project is huge for the school. Unfortunately, the main hall which the roof covers is subject to some leakage, and we have a lovely floor underneath which has suffered some water damage. This work will bring a new life to the hall and allow us to use it in a much more flexible way.

“The builders have worked well with the school to make everything happen as seamlessly as possible.

“With a Victorian building there is a constant maintenance schedule. The fact the roof is going to be insulated will have a huge impact on our energy bills and this will be brilliant at ensuring more money is channelled directly to the children’s interests.”

School Fabric Condition Programme

Cllr Rachel Eden, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said: “The replacement of the building roof at Alfred Sutton Primary School is a major project which is vital for the school and its pupils. I would like to congratulate the school and project team for working so well together to ensure the children continue their education and to enable the children to take part in the amazing time-capsule roof activity, as well as learn important lessons about construction sites and keeping safe.”

The Alfred Sutton roof replacement is part of Reading’s School Fabric Condition Programme funded by the Department for Education Schools Condition Grant.

As part of the programme, the Council has replaced the pitched roofs at several schools in the past three years, with more to follow this year.

>> Read about more re-roofing projects in the news