After diving into the thrilling world of crime fiction in their English lessons, Year 8 students were challenged to put their own detective skills to the test by writing original crime stories.
The winners of the competition were announced last week, with Sophia Curtis (8SC) claiming the top spot for her gripping crime saga, The Family Affair. Zach Butler came second with his tale of ruthless rivals, Death in the Dakar Desert, while Megan Tildesley (8VI) secured third place.
Head of English, Mrs Aston, praised the students’ efforts, saying: “Writing and storytelling are such powerful skills—not only do they allow us to express creativity, but they also help us develop empathy, critical thinking, and communication.”
“This is especially true in the crime genre, where students have had to carefully craft suspense, develop intriguing characters, and weave together clues to keep readers engaged. It’s been fantastic to see them think like detectives and storytellers, creating mysteries that rival professional crime fiction.”
Huge congratulations to all the students who took part in this challenge and showcased their storytelling talents. The winners were awarded crime novels as prizes—perhaps inspiring the next generation of bestselling crime authors. Read the winning story below and prepare to be chilled…
The Family Affair by Sophia Curtis
Inspector Travis drove up the windy road, screeching to a stop. “I should really get that checked out” she muttered to herself, sighing in the winter morning air. She slammed the door behind her, eyes fixed on the ominous path ahead – seemingly leading straight to the scene of a murder. It was a grand mansion well maintained with vibrant flowers spread out across the lawn. Such a beautiful home – apart from the body awaiting inside. She put her hands inside her coffee-stained trench coat pockets and began her ascent up the steps. She knocked on the door. In those five seconds of waiting, she braced herself for the tears and breakdowns that the victim’s family was bound to unleash.
