Shrewsbury schoolchildren turn journalists as they report on mock accident
Children turned investigators for the morning after a stolen car crashed into a tree in their grounds.
But don't fear, the crime was actually staged by police, who stepped in to help pupils with a special writing assignment.
Children at St Giles Primary School in Shrewsbury were journalists for the morning, sent out to find out what had happened, track down witnesses and take pictures of the scene, which they will then turn into their own news stories in a school-wide competition.
PC Scott Smither, youth engagement officer, brought officers from Shrewsbury's Safer Neighbourhood Team to the school on Portland Crescent, where they staged a mock accident for the children to investigate.
Caroline Gardner, headteacher, said: "Every term the whole school takes part in a piece of writing, all with the same focus.
"This time we wanted them to do some reporting. Scott Smither already runs the junior cadet programme at the school.
"So I asked him if he could set up a mock accident that the children could investigate.
"The children absolutely loved it. They were all very excited."
After spending the morning on Tuesday investigating the scene, finding witnesses, collecting evidence and taking pictures, they will now work on putting together a story which will go into a competition and will be displayed at the school.
Mrs Gardner said: "In 10 years, the children may not remember a lesson about writing a report but they will remember the day a stolen car crashed into a tree in the car park."
She said it was also good for the school to have such a strong relationship with the local police, adding: "It is good for the children to have a positive relationship with the local policing team."
