A PART of Huddersfield’s education history is no more.

Demolition teams have moved in on the former Stile Common Infants and Nursery School at Plane Street, Newsome.

They are taking down the building which had been empty since November 2009.

But they have also uncovered a little piece of history.

The contractors have discovered a time capsule buried by children and teachers when the school was built.

It had lain undiscovered for 138 years.

The capsule, dating back to 1873, contains a hymn book, a local newspaper, a book of school rules and conditions plus a poster giving details of the laying of the foundation stone – all in remarkable condition.

Now the contents will be presented to Dawn Horton, headteacher of Hillside Primary School, in Newsome, next week.

Hillside, which opened in 2009, replaced Stile Common Infant and Nursery School and Stile Common Junior School at Headfield Road.

Headteacher Mrs Horton, said: “We are delighted that a time capsule has been found and one in such good condition.

“It gives us a real sense of the history of the area and will be a real boost to the school community.

“When the Stile Common schools closed we were able to further develop our links with the local residents who had attended the schools over the years and many of these adults still work with our children.

“We are all very excited about this find and hope that our own Hillside capsule will be just as exciting for future generations!”

Clr Cath Harris, Kirklees Cabinet member for Children and Young People said: “This particular capsule has survived in such good condition that it looks almost as if the items were placed in it recently and not over 100 years ago.

“It provides a snapshot of educational life in 1873 and of the people who built the school.

“National Schools were started after the introduction of the 1870 Education Act, which gave all children the right to a basic education.

“It accounts for why there are so many school buildings from the period between 1870 and 1880 and Stile Common was one of the earliest.

“These Victorians had great pride in their achievements for their children and their community, just as we have today.

“Hillside school carries on the tradition of high quality school facilities in the area.”

The Victorian infants school building suffered a vandalism attack after it closed and the theft of copper was also reported.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said stone would be retained by the demolition contractor and would offset the cost.

The site was then likely to be offered for sale.