Upper Elementary / Middle School Case

The Secret Garden

A classroom-ready mystery that turns reading into purposeful investigation. Students sift through realistic evidence, make inferences, and justify their conclusions as the case unfolds stage by stage.

Age Group: Grades 5-8 (Ages 9-13)

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 schedule.

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 Secret Garden 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 Secret Garden

The Secret Garden is a primary school detective case set at the Anchors Bay Art Gallery. During a short power cut, a much loved painting is swapped for a flawless forgery. Students step into the role of investigators, examining the case file to work out how the heist happened and who is responsible.

The case is designed for ages 9 to 13 and builds confidence with inference, sequencing, evidence handling, vocabulary in context, and clear written explanations. Reading becomes purposeful because every clue, note, and report pushes the investigation forward and gives students a reason to justify what they think and why.

Who Is This Case For?

Flexible enough for any primary or middle school setting

Classroom

Upper Elementary Literacy Units (Grades 5-6)

A high-engagement reading sequence that strengthens inference and explanation. The stage-by-stage structure lets you control the pace and keep every student involved.

Give reluctant readers a genuine reason to read closely
Develop inference through authentic evidence analysis
Build confident explanation writing with clear models

Whole School

Immersion Days & Theme Weeks

A ready-to-run mystery that gives your whole school a shared reading focus. Use the same case across classes, with each group working through the evidence in age-appropriate depth.

Create a school-wide reading buzz with a single shared case
Evidence-led activities that link reading, writing, and art
Finish with a whole-school reveal and written justifications

Library

Reading for Pleasure

Create a shared reading focus that hooks even the most reluctant readers. The mystery format gives students a compelling reason to engage with texts and come back for the next clue.

Weekly evidence drops that keep students returning
Detective club sessions for small groups
Mystery-themed book displays to extend reading choices

Enrichment

Clubs, Intervention & Transition

Ideal for after-school clubs, intervention groups, or grades 5-6 transition. It rewards curiosity and careful reading without feeling like extra work.

Reading intervention with high-interest material
Extension tasks for deeper thinking and challenge
Break programs and summer programs

A Complete Investigation

Everything you need to run the case

Open the Stage

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

Read, Discuss, Complete

Students work through the case file. Use the guidance to support discussion and written responses.

Unlock the Next Stage

When ready, release fresh evidence. Each stage moves closer to the conclusion.

Everything Included

Your Case Pack

Full Case File

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

Facilitator Guidance

Clear prompts for discussion, plus task answers so you can steer the investigation with confidence.

Teaching Guidance

Structured activities targeting inference, sequencing, and explanation writing across the stages.

Task Sheets

Printable worksheets for students to annotate, gather clues, and build case notes.

Extension Activities

Extra challenges for clubs, cross-curricular work, and deeper projects.

Facilitator Dashboard

Everything organised online in one place, with stage-by-stage release controls.

Access anywhere online

Download and print freely

Reuse year after year

What Students Say

Feedback from primary and middle school classrooms

This was the first time I actually wanted to go to the library.

I hate reading, Miss. But I love doing this.

When is the next one starting? Can we do it tomorrow?

It felt like a real case, not just another worksheet.

Ready to Get Started?

Download the info pack or get in touch to discuss how The Secret Garden fits your school.