The Mystery Academy: A School for Young Detectives
Catastrophe has struck at the Mystery Academy: School for Young Detectives! The brilliant Head Teacher – Christie Moyo – has mysteriously disappeared. Have you got what it takes to solve the mystery and find her?
Prepare to channel your inner super-sleuth as you follow clues, solve puzzles and attempt to the crack the case at the heart of the latest addition to our Galleries, Mystery Academy: School for Young Detectives. Opening summer 2026, this new exhibition celebrates mysteries, detectives, sleuths and subterfuge.
Framed around an original story by award-winning author Sharna Jackson, step inside the fictional boarding school to solve the mysterious disappearance of the Head Teacher, or just have fun exploring an inventive exhibition that features a forensics lab, a library, and even a hidden door concealed within a bookcase!
Discover the history of the detective genre and some favourite characters and authors; from the classics like Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Morse, to contemporary authors such Robin Stevens’ Murder Most Unladylike, Mini Grey’s Hermelin and Mark Haddon’s Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Plus, you’ll be able to see exciting objects such as early fingerprint detecting kits and a camera concealed in a waistcoat.
The doors of the Mystery Academy: School for Young Detectives will open on Saturday 18 July 2026. Book your Galleries tickets here – prepare for puzzles, mysteries, and secrets!
Mystery Academy: School for Young Detectives has been designed, following a period of audience consultation, by The Story Museum’s Story Curators, a group of young people aged between 12-16 who work with the Museum’s professional production team in weekly sessions, after school in term time. Author Sharna Jackson has created the original story at the centre of the exhibition and author Robin Stevens has also provided additional creative consultation.
Open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 16:30 and 10:00 – 17:30 Sat/Sun (School term time)
Open Seven days 10:00 – 17:30 School Holidays (Oxfordshire Schools)
