Children turn sleuths with help of crime writing author

Schoolchildren in Harrogate and Knaresborough are getting the chance to channel their inner Sherlock Holmes with the help of detective turned crime writing author Graham Bartlett.

Pupils from Willow Tree Community Primary School taking part in Kids, Spies and PIs. (credit Gerard Binks).

Youngsters from nine schools from across the district are taking part in Kids, Spies and PIs this week, learning about the methods used by real-life detectives to help solve a crime.

These immersive workshops – made possible by funding which was established in memory of Victor Wild of Betty and Taylors of Harrogate – are aimed at children from Years 5 to 7 and tie in with school curriculums.

The sessions led by Bartlett, a crime fiction author, former detective and police advisor to TV scriptwriters, help boost the children’s creative writing and science skills. An actor is also taking part, with the pupils working in groups and piecing together evidence to solve the crime.

The workshops involve Aspin Park Academy, Bilton Grange Primary School, Coppice Valley Primary, Grove Road Primary, Harrogate High School, Hookstone Chase Primary, Meadowside Primary, Saltergate School and Willow Tree Community Primary.

Pupils from Willow Tree Community Primary School who took part in Kids, Spies and PIs. (credit Gerard Binks).

Educational programmes like this are the cornerstone of Harrogate International Festivals’ community work, which aims to raise aspirations and create new opportunities through free access to the arts.

Jonathan Wild said: “The aim of these workshops, as well as honouring our father’s legacy, is to encourage children to test out ideas, learn new skills and grow as individuals.”

Lizzie Barnes said: "Our father was a great believer in the unifying power of science and the arts, and through the Wild Foundations we’re harnessing this to enable young people to explore the world around them and discover talents they perhaps didn’t realise they had.”

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “Promoting and enabling children to engage in the arts is at the heart of the Festivals’ education programme, and thanks to the generous support of funders like the Wild Family we are able to continue this invaluable work.”