The Sixth Form at St Clare's characters

Appears from the start

A senior pupil who returns as joint head girl with Isabel. Pat helps supervise the new First Formers and begins the term with responsibility for order among the pupils.

Appears from the start

Pat's fellow joint head girl and an observant senior pupil. Isabel begins the term sharing responsibility for order and for supervising the younger pupils.

Appears from the start

A Sixth Former whose father plans to send her to finishing school instead of allowing her to pursue university. Her friends promise to help her preserve the future she wants.

Appears from the start

A distressed new Sixth Former who rejects offers of help when she arrives. She is angry, withdrawn, and unwilling to accept St Clare's.

Also known as Morag

First appears in chapter 2

The red-haired newcomer is identified as Morag Stuart, an angry and withdrawn new Sixth Former who resists the other pupils' welcome.

Also known as Dora

Appears from the start

A seemingly sweet First Former with a mischievous side. Her tendency to appear lost or unexpectedly elsewhere makes Bobby doubt her innocent manner.

First appears in chapter 6

Dora's identical twin, discovered secretly sharing Dora's place at school. Their alternation explains Dora's impossible speed and sudden changes in knowledge.

First appears in chapter 2

A returning Sixth Former, Antoinette's elder sister, and Mam'zelle's niece. She renews her friendship with Anne-Marie when she comes back to St Clare's.

First appears in chapter 2

A returning Sixth Former and friend of Claudine. Their friendship is renewed at the start of the new term.

Also known as Phyllis Bentley

First appears in chapter 2

A confident new Sixth Former whose given name is Phyllis but whose established nickname is Fizz. She has not attended boarding school before and meets Claudine and Anne-Marie through Matron.

Also known as Fizz Bentley, Phyllis Bentley

First appears in chapter 16

Fizz's full identity is Lady Phyllis Bentley, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Delchester. With Miss Theobald's approval, she concealed her title so that her schoolmates could know her without being influenced by it.

Appears from the start

A Sixth Former repeating her examinations with intensive extra coaching after failing them the previous term.

Appears from the start

A Sixth Former repeating her examinations alongside Angela and receiving extra coaching after the previous term's failure.

First appears in chapter 3

The newly appointed games captain for the Sixth Form, assisted by Bobby and Janet as joint vice-captains.

First appears in chapter 3

A Sixth Former appointed with Bobby to serve as joint games vice-captain under Gladys.

Appears from the start

A Sixth Former who doubts that Dora's innocent appearance tells the full story and watches the younger girl's odd behaviour with suspicion.

First appears in chapter 3

A Sixth Former assigned to share a study with Gladys as the senior pupils settle into their new term.

Also known as Joan

First appears in chapter 5

A timid First Former with promise as a netball goalkeeper. She becomes strongly attached to Alison and is easily intimidated by Priscilla.

Also known as Priscilla

First appears in chapter 3

An intrusive Sixth Former whose habit of interfering in other pupils' affairs already concerns the senior girls as the form takes on its new responsibilities.

First appears in chapter 9

A lower-school pupil who seeks the Sixth Form's advice because Ruth uses her ideas and claims the credit. Hilda fears that confronting her socially dominant friend may end their friendship.

First appears in chapter 9

Hilda's socially dominant friend, accused of using Hilda's academic ideas and presenting them as her own. Hilda is reluctant to challenge her directly.

First appears in chapter 9

A lower-school pupil who owns a lost ten-pound note. Another girl uses the money to buy Susan a birthday present, creating a problem brought to the Sixth Form's advice meeting.

First appears in chapter 11

A lower-school pupil who found Susan's money and spent it on a birthday gift for Susan. She follows the Sixth Form's advice and explains what happened, allowing the friendship to recover.

First appears in chapter 11

A First Former whose birthday inspires plans for a midnight party. She offers some of her birthday money to help the form organize it.

First appears in chapter 12

A First Former who warns Pat and Isabel that Priscilla has been trying to discover the party plans.

First appears in chapter 2

The headmistress of St Clare's. She gives the Sixth Form a common room and summons its members to a meeting about their place in the school.

First appears in chapter 4

The friendly but authoritative mistress of the Sixth Form. She accepts Fizz's familiar name while making clear that school rules and standards still apply.

First appears in chapter 2

A teacher who is also aunt to Claudine and Antoinette. She returns to St Clare's with them at the beginning of term.

First appears in chapter 3

A Sixth Former assigned to share a study with Doris. She is an established member of the senior group as its members take on greater responsibility within the school.

Appears from the start

A teacher who helps Pat and Isabel manage the new First Formers during the journey to school.