Children at St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School, Oldbury, have been the first to see a new film which the emergencies services produced.

Sandwell police, including the Forensic Services, the Fire Service, St Johns Ambulance Service and Sandwell Children and Families Services helped to film scenario's at Sandwell Valley, linking their science curriculum with the investigation of a burglary that rapidly turns into a fire, with casualties and the subsequent arrest of offenders.

Inspector Mark Cooper from West Bromwich police station, said: “After viewing the film, pupils are asked to investigate the incident using scientific methods. The tasks that students address are linked to the national curriculum, but address real life situations. Its about making their learning real and exciting.”

The science resource mirrors previous packages in Literacy and Numeracy and were developed by Sustainability Consultant, Mollie McPherson. She said: “The idea was to get the emergency services together to produce an educational resource that also delivers safety and crime prevention messages as well as core subjects.

“The services have really pulled together to deliver a different approach to science. It shows how we use scientific procedures in a wide variety of jobs. Students are very enthusiastic about these projects, which also have a citizenship element.”

The school presented the project and their findings at the Fire Service Training Centre in Dartmouth Road, West Bromwich on Thursday 14 July to the Mayor of West Bromwich, Councillor Joyce Underhill and representatives from the partners who made the educational package.

Fire Service Watch Manager, John Williams said: “We are delighted to have been part of this project. We are hoping that it will be adopted by more schools in Sandwell and ultimately further afield. The resource follows the National Curriculum, so it supports what the children are already learning in school.”

Information on the Literacy, Numeracy and Science resources will be available on line from September at www.sustainableschoolsaward.co.uk