Kitty at St Clare's characters

Also known as Jenny

Appears from the start

The sixth-form pupil appointed head girl and games captain for the new term. She announces both positions to the returning girls and begins the term as the senior pupil responsible for school and games leadership.

Appears from the start

A sixth-form pupil who quickly attracts Alison's admiration, although Alison's friends regard her as spiteful and sly. Her standing among the younger girls is disputed from the beginning of term.

Appears from the start

A returning third-form pupil who is impressed by Margaret Winters and defends her against warnings from friends. Her confidence in the older girl puts her at odds with the prevailing view in her form.

Also known as Amanda

Appears from the start

A new third-form pupil and Helen Wilkes's stepsister. She says that she and Helen cannot bear one another, but the third form welcomes her, and she soon finds companionship among its returning pupils.

Also known as Helen

Appears from the start

Amanda Wilkes's stepsister and a pupil in the second form. Amanda introduces their relationship as openly hostile and describes Helen as accustomed to being indulged by her wealthy father.

Appears from the start

Isabel's twin and a returning third-form pupil who cannot start the term with her classmates. A broken right arm keeps her at home for several weeks, leaving Isabel to return to St Clare's alone.

Appears from the start

Pat's twin and a returning third-form pupil. She is unsettled by having to begin the term without her sister, but her old friends welcome her back and she starts getting to know Amanda Wilkes.

Also known as Janet

Appears from the start

A returning third-form pupil who acts as an informal leader among her classmates. She introduces Amanda to the form and advises her not to answer Helen's attempts to provoke her.

Also known as Kitty Flatty

First appears in chapter 2

A new third-form pupil from Kilblarney who arrives with her pet goat, McGinty. She is allowed to keep him in the old stables while her father works in London, provided she prevents him from disrupting school life.

First appears in chapter 2

Kitty Flaherty's pet goat, whose arrival creates a commotion at St Clare's. Miss Theobald lets him stay in the old stables under Kitty's care, with visits restricted to breaks and after school.

First appears in chapter 2

The sensible head of the second form. When Helen belittles Amanda in public, Grace intervenes and makes clear that such treatment is unacceptable, establishing her authority among the younger pupils.

Also known as Barbara

First appears in chapter 2

A sixth-form pupil and friend of Jennifer Mills. She is first seen with Jennifer during the excitement caused by Kitty Flaherty's arrival at school with McGinty.

Also known as Roberta

First appears in chapter 3

A returning member of the third form. Margaret Winters marks her and Kitty late while excusing Alison for the same fault, making Bobby one of the first pupils directly affected by Margaret's favouritism.

First appears in chapter 3

The third-form mistress. She is away during the first evening after building work forces the second and third forms into shared accommodation, leaving the pupils to manage the initial disruption.

First appears in chapter 4

The French teacher at St Clare's. Kitty deliberately gives her poor pronunciation despite being capable of an excellent accent, making Mam'zelle a recurring target of Kitty's classroom mischief.

First appears in chapter 5

A returning third-form pupil drawn into the quarrel over the forms' shared rooms. During the widening argument she confronts Harriet and threatens her before a teacher ends the disturbance.

First appears in chapter 5

A second-form pupil who takes her form's side in the argument over the crowded shared accommodation. Her exchange with Carlotta helps turn the underlying tension into an open quarrel.

First appears in chapter 5

A teacher who intervenes when the dispute between the second and third forms becomes a general quarrel. She stops the confrontation and directs both groups to resolve their disagreements civilly.

First appears in chapter 6

The games mistress responsible for the second form's hockey practice. She sees the form perform badly during a troubled session and responds by assigning extra coaching without knowing what caused the difficulties.

First appears in chapter 11

A returning third-form pupil who joins Janet, Pat, and Isabel in taking responsibility before Miss Theobald for the fire-bell prank. Her admission helps remove a punishment wrongly imposed on the second form.

Also known as Gladys

First appears in chapter 14

A returning third-form pupil who challenges Amanda and Helen over their constant hostility. She draws on her own experience of losing a parent to press them to value the family they now share.

First appears in chapter 2

The headmistress of St Clare's. She handles Kitty's unusual arrival by allowing McGinty to remain at school, but makes Kitty responsible for keeping the goat in the old stables and away from lessons.