Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School discovers 1928 treasure beneath their feet!
The discovery of a 1928 coin has sparked real excitement at a County Durham school, and understandably so.
At Schools North East, we’re always delighted to showcase learning that extends beyond the classroom…especially when pupils uncover a remarkable piece of local history right beneath their feet!
A surprising discovery under the playground
As work began on the new nursery at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, builders uncovered a 1928 coin—much to the delight of pupils, including Reception children Mirabel and Lester, both aged five, who were thrilled to discover what they described as real “treasure” right beneath their school.
Lester said: “It was so exciting to find treasure!”
Bringing history to life in shotton colliery
EYFS lead Lynsey Wetherell said the discovery carried extra meaning for the school community. “This remarkable discovery coincides with the very year our school was established, making it a piece of history that holds special significance for us.”
The coin, a King George V penny, quickly became a talking point across classrooms, sparking curiosity about what life would have been like in Shotton Colliery a century ago. Pupils imagined the people who may have once held the coin and what their local area might have looked like in the past.
Connecting past, present and future learning
Ms Wetherell added that the find has enriched learning across the school: “This discovery has not only brought history to life for our students but also connected our past with our future as we continue building our nursery.”
She added: “Finding such a piece of history on our school grounds is a wonderful reminder of our roots and the stories waiting to be discovered. It was a lovely reminder of the hidden stories beneath our feet, leaving everyone curious about what other treasures might still lie undiscovered!”
A new nursery for the future
The discovery comes as work continues on a new, modern, purpose-built nursery at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, which is due to open in Autumn 2026. The nursery will offer flexible 15 and 30-hour places for children aged three and above.