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Projects help children explore loss and realities of knife crime

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School pupils are exploring bereavement and the dangers of knife crime through two projects from the University of Bradford.

Two school pupils in uniform pose for a photo with their teacher with large pieces of white paper with drawings behind them

‘Lost and Found: Bereavement, Archaeology and Creativity’ is transforming how primary schools talk about death, loss and bereavement, using archaeology-inspired art and poetry to start these conversations, while Junior Detectives Week sees school students investigate, and discover, the impact of a knife crime.  

Two people stand next to each other with large pieces of paper behind them with children's drawings on them

Artwork on loss

A touching exhibition of children’s artwork on loss and bereavement went on display at Wycliffe CE Primary School in Shipley, created as part of the University of Bradford-led national ‘Lost and Found’ project.  

Children from the school’s years one to six classes produced artwork, displayed in the school’s gym, initially drawing around their hands, then adding sketches, words and phrases linked to loss, including loved ones or pets that have died.  

They also created images of trees together, writing on leaves about what they would like to hear or what they would say to someone grieving.

Project lead, Karina Croucher, Professor of Archaeology, Heritage and Wellbeing, Department of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences at the University of Bradford, said: “The project deals with a really important topic, encouraging talk about death, dying, bereavement and loss - we know suppressing conversations can have really negative impacts on children. We are now reaching the end of the face-to-face delivery stage with the pupils.   

“The next stage is correlating the materials into an online resource for schools and, teachers. This will hopefully make it easier for teachers and give them the tools to talk about the topics of death, dying and loss more easily with children.” 

A person dressed in a suit without a tie stands in front of large pieces of paper featuring children's drawings on them

Chris Holdsworth, Interim Head of School at Wycliffe CE Primary School, part of the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, said: “The children have enjoyed taking part and producing the artwork.  

“It helps them to explore their own feelings and emotions around death and how to express them. The project aligns with the values of the school and trust.”  

More on ‘Lost and Found’   

The University of Bradford project, in partnership with the Universities of Wolverhampton and Manchester, Child Bereavement UK, and the Child Bereavement Network, is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).  

Workshops have been held at Wycliffe CE Primary, and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Sale, Manchester with pupils aged five to 11 during their PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education.  

The 10-month project, which started in September 2025, features two exclusive new poems written by author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen.

A group of children dressed in forensic suits walk around a bar

Knife crime awareness  

The University of Bradford has teamed up with the police and schools to raise awareness of knife crime among teenagers.  

Junior Detectives Week, held from 2 February, included year eight pupils from Bradford district schools; Carlton Bolling, Hanson Academy, Beckfoot Oakbank and Co-op Academy Grange, taking part in a series of events on the University’s campus, including the mock investigation of a stabbing of a teenage girl by a teenage boy.  

Guided by real-life Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers from West Yorkshire Police, participating pupils acted as detectives, looking for the mock crime scene knife weapon and other details at the University’s student bar, Below One.  

A group of children dressed in forensic outfits walk around a university bar

The youngsters met police officers, NHS trauma surgeons and lived experience speakers, culminating in a visit to Bradford Crown Court where a mock trial on the case they investigated was heard before a judge. The pupils were also named ‘anti-knife crime champions’.  

According to Youth Justice Board for England and Wales annual statistics, 3,200 knife or offensive weapon offences were committed by children resulting in a caution or sentence, during the year ending March 2024. This is a six per cent decrease on the previous year, but a 20 per cent rise on 10 years before.   

Dr Alex Surtees, Lecturer in Forensic Science at the University of Bradford, said: “The week was part of an immersive experience for the students, covering knife crime from all angles – policing, forensics and mental health.”