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Children from seven Barnet primary schools had the chance to carry out a scientific investigation of a fictional crime committed at Queen Elizabeth’s School – the heinous murder of the Headmaster!

QE’s Lower School Science department hosted a special forensics workshop for 32 visiting Year 5 & 6 boys and girls, who were invited to solve the crime.

The children were given an initial briefing in a CSI-style workbook, which recorded that Headmaster Neil Enright had been found dead in the School car park with an inflamed puncture wound on the hand, signs of an impact to his head and blood on the side of his car, yet with no sign of a struggle.

In teams of four, the children collected evidence from the crime scene and then carried out a series of tests, including blood spatter analysis and microscopic analysis of hair and fibre, as well as fingerprint and dye analysis. They then put together presentations of their evidence so they could decide who committed the crime.

They concluded that the evidence pointed unerringly to QE’s Head of Lower School Science & Head of Pupil Development, Sarah Westcott, one of four suspects named in the briefing. Her motive? The Headmaster had refused her permission for a Science trip!

Dr Westcott explained the rationale for the forensics day: “This workshop is designed to reach out to local primary schools; we invite their students in to work in laboratory facilities that they may not have access to in their schools.

“They certainly enjoyed being in the lab environment and using equipment such as the microscopes. They demonstrated a good awareness of the role of the forensic scientist and had lots of ideas about solving crime based on their experiences of TV detectives.

“They took the analysis of the evidence very seriously and had lots of good ideas about the possible culprit and their motives, including one team who suggested that two of the Science teachers were in cahoots!” said Dr Westcott.

At the conclusion of the event, the visiting primary school children were awarded certificates for: best detective skills; evaluation of evidence, and presentation skills.

Year 10 boys had the chance to hear some high-level perspectives on policy and even see politicians in action during a visit to central London.

The day trip took in some of the famous sites at the heart of the UK’s political system.

Head of History Helen MacGregor said: “The past year has been one of the most tumultuous-ever periods in peacetime politics either side of the Atlantic. This trip was therefore an excellent and timely opportunity for these boys to hear from political experts and to watch the House of Commons debating one of the great issues of the day, namely the Grenfell Tower fire.”

The 15 boys’ political tour of the capital began at the US Embassy, where, after clearing stringent security checks, they were treated to an interactive talk on US foreign policy and enjoyed some challenging debate.

After that, they proceeded to SOAS University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies), where a lecture considered President Donald Trump and his policy towards Europe.

The boys then walked across London, stopping for a picnic in Green Park, pausing by Buckingham Palace and strolling through St James’s Park, before making their way to the Houses of Parliament via the Treasury, the Foreign Office and Downing Street.

Having arrived at the Palace of Westminster, the group passed the security checks, showing the special invitations they had received from the Liberal Democrat parliamentarian, Baroness Featherstone, and the charity TEAM, which aims to encourage ‘the leaders of tomorrow’ to engage in world affairs.

“They immediately went out on to the terrace of the House of Lords, which is right next to the Thames. It was a beautiful day and they had a great view of Westminster Bridge and the London Eye,” Miss MacGregor said. “Then we had a formal afternoon tea, with the boys learning about the required etiquette from myself and Miss Coleman [History teacher Charlotte Coleman], including how to eat scones properly.”

The group had a talk from Baroness Featherstone about her life and about her role in getting key bills passed, such as the one introducing same-sex marriage. She encouraged the QE pupils to become involved in politics.

The talk was followed by a tour of Parliament, during which the boys learned especially about the history of Westminster Hall, which was the site of Charles I’s trial and of speeches by significant figures including Presidents Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Westminster Hall is also the place where past members of the Royal Family, as well as Winston Churchill, have lain in state.

“The boys were then fortunate enough to go into the public gallery of the House of Commons and witness MPs such as Caroline Lucas debating the Government’s action following the Grenfell Tower tragedy – interesting and very relevant! It was a memorable day for all involved,” Miss MacGregor concluded.

Year 5 children from local schools battled it out at QE in a morning of English and Mathematics games and puzzles.

The third annual QE Primary Challenge Day saw teams of four from each school enjoy a morning of activities, with each of these teams accompanied by a Year 7 boy for the entire morning.

Assistant Head of Mathematics Wendy Fung said the accent had been firmly on fun: “Our aim was to introduce the School to some local children and to enable them to compete in an enjoyable and stimulating setting.

“Our Second Master, Colin Price, started proceedings, welcoming the primary school children, urging them not to worry about anything they found difficult and telling them to be proud of any points they scored in the various tasks. Most of all, he said, they should enjoy themselves.”

The competition rounds included interactive games, as well as challenges including a spelling competition, a poetry-writing challenge, number puzzles and logic problems. 

“I am very grateful to the Year 7s for their help in ensuring that the Year 5s felt at home and for supporting their adopted teams enthusiastically,” said Miss Fung.

The Headmaster, Neil Enright, presented the winners with their certificates at the end of the event, congratulating all participants. The winners included:

• St John’s C.E. Primary School (N20) for the limerick round
• Foulds School in Barnet for the logic round
• Martin Primary School in East Finchley for the spelling bee
• St Andrew’s CE Primary School in Totteridge for the Crossnumber round.

The Primary Challenge Day’s overall winners were Martin Primary School.