Secondary Case

The Lighthouse Keeper

A suspicious death at the lighthouse triggers a staged investigation where students evaluate credibility, build a precise timeline, and write clear, evidence-backed conclusions as the case tightens.

Age Group:  Grades 7-11 (Ages 11-16) | Middle & High School
Focus:  Inference · Sequencing · Evidence-based Writing

One-page overview for leadership and decision makers

One-off purchase. No subscriptions.

Buy once, then run the case year after year. Use it with as many groups as you want, whenever it fits your timetable.

  • Reuse year after year
  • Any number of groups
  • Print what you need
  • Delivered via secure portal
Best Value

For just £341.00 more, get every case plus all future releases

The Lighthouse Keeper is £222.00. A TDE Membership is £563.00 and unlocks every current investigation in our library, plus every new case released throughout your membership year, all under one whole-school licence.

  • Every current case
  • All new releases
  • Whole-school license
  • Unlimited groups
See Membership Compare 1-Year & 2-Year
Case Overview

The Lighthouse Keeper

The Lighthouse Keeper is a secondary-level investigation set in the fictional coastal town of Anchors Bay. A veteran lighthouse keeper is found below the railings by his daughter, and the initial circumstances do not sit right. Students must decide: accident, suicide, or something far more deliberate.

The case unfolds stage by stage, mirroring a real investigation: early accounts and scene notes, developing timelines, and later forensic and intelligence updates that reshape the theory. Designed for middle and high school (grades 7-11), it strengthens inference, sequencing, credibility checks, and evidence-based writing that is clear, structured, and defensible.

Who Is This Case For?

Flexible enough for any secondary setting

English

Middle & High School Literacy (Grades 7-11)

A staged case file that strengthens inference, explanation, and evidence-based writing. Run it as a unit or as shorter lessons.

  • Close reading with a clear purpose
  • Structured writing built from evidence
  • Discussion that rewards careful reasoning
Cross-curricular

PSHE, Ethics, Critical Thinking

Students practise separating claims from proof, assessing credibility, and making careful, defensible judgments.

  • Credibility, bias, and reliability
  • Reasoned conclusions and justification
  • Collaborative problem solving
Library

Reading for Pleasure (Teens)

A mystery format that hooks students who do not usually choose to read. Great for clubs and enrichment groups.

  • High-interest reading with a payoff
  • Detective club and enrichment sessions
  • Motivates reluctant readers naturally
Enrichment

Clubs and Intervention

Designed for collaboration: students build case notes, test hypotheses, and practise structured reasoning.

  • Oral communication and structured discussion
  • Reasoning and justification practice
  • High-engagement intervention format

A Complete Investigation

Everything you need to run the case

1

Open the Stage

Release stage one in your portal and share the evidence with your class.

2

Read, Discuss, Complete

Students analyse documents, take notes, and justify conclusions in writing.

3

Unlock the Next Stage

Release new evidence when you are ready. Each stage tightens the case.

Everything Included

Your Case Pack

Full Case File

Realistic documents and exhibits organised into stages for a structured investigation.

Facilitator Guidance

Teacher notes plus task answers so you can guide discussion and keep momentum.

Teaching Guidance

Structured activities targeting inference, sequencing, and evidence-based writing.

Task Sheets

Printable sheets for annotation, case notes, and structured written responses.

Extension Activities

Extra challenges for clubs, deeper projects, and higher-level reasoning tasks.

Facilitator Dashboard

Everything organised online in one place with stage release controls.

Access anywhere online
Download and print freely
Reuse year after year

What Students Say

Feedback from secondary classrooms

It made you actually read properly because you needed the proof.

Grade 8 13 years old

We had to decide what was reliable and what was just someone saying it.

Grade 9 14 years old

It was easier to write because you could build the argument from the documents.

Grade 10 15 years old

The twist made us go back and check everything again.

Grade 11 16 years old

Ready to Get Started?

Download the info pack or get in touch to discuss how The Lighthouse Keeper fits your secondary setting.

Contact Us