YOUNG children in Northumberland have been setting down roots at their new school to help celebrate 12/12/12.

The pupils at Cramlington Village Primary School (CVPS) marked the 12th day of the 12th month, 2012, by planting trees in the grounds yesterday.

The youngsters also buried a time capsule containing some of their favourite items and memories.

The children, with the help of their parents, were asked to choose one thing that reflects who they are.

The ideas ranged from photographs, small toys, coins and food menus to drawings, newspaper cuttings, music CDs and wrappers from favourite chocolate bars.

“It’s an opportunity for the children to mark this particular moment in their lives and that of the school,” said principal Debbie Wylie.

“The capsule will act as a snapshot of this moment and will help children in later years to understand what it was like to be five or six in 2012.

“And the trees will be a daily reminder of how much we’ve grown as a school.”

One of just three free schools in the North East, CVPS opened its doors in September with reception and Year One classes.

It will add a reception class each year until it covers all ages from four to 11 years old.

This has been an exciting term for the children as they have watched as builders complete the second and final phase of refurbishment of the school building in Bowmont Drive, Eastfield Lea in Cramlington.

“It’s been an incredibly busy couple of months since we opened, but the children and parents are absolutely loving their new school,” added Mrs Wylie.

“And completion of the refurbishment work means we can now show it off to parents who are thinking of enrolling their children next year.”

Free schools are directly funded by the Government and do not come under local authority control. They can set their own curriculum and policies from staffing to opening times.

The other free schools in the North East are Grindon Hall Christian School in Sunderland and Barwick’s Own Second Secondary School (BO2SS) in Stockton.

Two more free schools, the West Newcastle Academy and Durham Free School, which will serve communities to the south and east of Durham City, will open in September 2013.