UK school children’s pandemic memories preserved in historic Time Capsule

The memories of school children’s lives during the Covid-19 pandemic have been preserved for the nation in a unique Time Capsule, sealed at BAFTA’s newly redeveloped headquarters for the next 25 years.

This historic initiative from children’s charities BAFTA Kids, Place2Be and Oak National Academy has seen the paintings, sculptures, writing and digital media creations of 41 schools from across England, Scotland and Wales stored at BAFTA’s home and headquarters - 195 Piccadilly.

The pupils’ reflections on this important moment in history will be shared when the capsule is opened in 2047, marking BAFTA’s 100-year anniversary. Highlights from the hundreds of entries have been selected to feature in a moving showcase film, screened at a ceremony to mark the sealing of the Time Capsule, attended by pupils from Upton Park Primary School and Eleanor Palmer Primary School, whose work features in the film. The ceremony was also attended by Ricky Martin, Lindsey Russell, Ben Shires and Nikki Lilly; who all contributed to the project.

The works include a large-scale sculpture of landmark buildings in the capital made from boxes set to words asking “May I walk in your street again?”; a poem comparing lockdown to a snail crawling back into its shell; and a host of colourful paintings and drawings depicting the challenges of being trapped indoors and missing school and friends. Many wrote about their disappointment as weeks of lockdown turned into months with no certainty on when it would end.

However, children also celebrated the work of the NHS with pictures of rainbows, and wrote about valuing time spent with family and making the most of their once-a-day venture outdoors.

A host of famous faces including Claudia Winkleman, Lindsey Russell, and Place2Be Ambassadors Lemn Sissay, Rhys Stephenson and Katie Thistleton have supported the project, contributing to a video encouraging children to get involved and make history with their works of art.

Following the prolonged periods of school closures, the 2021 Schools Time Capsule project offered an opportunity for school communities to come together to reflect on and capture their experiences of the past two years in a bid to allow young people to process their feelings.

Children were encouraged to use creative expression to document how the global pandemic affected their learning, friendships and everyday lives, demonstrating the emotional and physical impact they have endured as a result of lockdowns and home-schooling.