In Year 6 History, pupils have been exploring how crime and punishment has evolved from Saxon times to the present day, with a particular focus on how crimes are investigated. In their most recent lesson on forensic methods, the children became detectives as they worked to solve the mystery of who stole the basketball trophy. They examined a range of evidence, including fingerprints, DNA samples and handwriting from a note left at the scene, carefully comparing clues to identify the culprit. Through this engaging activity, pupils also learned how detection methods have changed over time: in Saxon England, people relied on beliefs and ordeals rather than evidence; in the Medieval period, some improvements were made but methods remained limited; during the Tudor era, systems became more organised but were still often harsh and unreliable; and in the Victorian period, the foundations of modern forensic detection began to emerge. The lesson helped pupils understand how advances in science and thinking have made solving crimes more accurate and fair.
