Pupils Step into the Shoes of Forensic Scientists for Science Week!

Friday 13th March 2026

This week, our school transformed into a hub of investigation and discovery as we celebrated Science Week under the theme of “Curiosity.” From solving high-stakes mysteries to testing the laws of physics, pupils across all year groups stepped into the shoes of professional scientists.

Who ate Mrs Openshaw’s Biscuits? Forensics

The corridor outside Mrs Openshaw’s office became a restricted area this week as a “crime scene” was established to solve a devastating mystery: Who ate Mrs Openshaw’s biscuits?

Pupils from took on the role of Forensic Scientists. Using a range of analytical techniques, they worked through the evidence to narrow down a list of suspects. The investigations included:

  • Fingerprint Lifting: Matching unique whorls and loops from the scene to the suspect files.
  • Footprint Analysis: Comparing tread patterns and shoe sizes.
  • Handwriting Analysis: Studying the slant and pressure of notes left behind.
  • Fibre Analysis: Identifying microscopic threads caught at the scene.
  • Alibi Corroboration: Fact-checking the stories of the staff involved.

Hands-On Discoveries: The Curiosity Questions

Beyond the crime scene, our Science lessons were packed with “Curiosity Questions,” where pupils conducted experiments to find out how the world really works.

Year 6: The Mechanics of Motion

Focusing on their Energy topic, Year 6 explored the physics of pendulums. They investigated whether the length of a string changes the timing of a swing and if a higher starting point results in greater speed.

Year 5: Light and Sound

Year 5 dived into optics, tackling tricky questions about light travel. They built and tested periscopes to understand how light reflects to allow a submarine to see above water, and debated whether a mirror counts as a light source (spoiler: it’s a reflector!).

Year 4: Advanced Plants

Our Year 4 botanists explored the mechanics of photosynthesis. By moving lamps different distances from pondweed, they measured oxygen production. They also practiced critical thinking by questioning if counting bubbles is truly the most “perfect” way to measure a plant’s activity.

Innovating for the Future: Design Your Own Invention

To wrap up the week, the “CURIOUS how to help?” whole-school competition was launched. We challenged our children to design a machine or gadget that solves a real-world problem—whether it’s a local community issue or a way to protect the natural environment. We can’t wait to see the inventive solutions our young engineers dream up!

KS2 House Science Competition

KS2 House Science saw the three houses complete scientific challenges, taking into account accuracy and evidence. The challenges included a magnet challenge to test whether objects were magnetic, a circuit challenge to make a bulb light up, a food test to see which foods contain fat and a test of chemical reactions.