The Third Form at St Clare's characters

Appears from the start

A returning third-form pupil whose circus training has made her an accomplished rider.

Appears from the start

A returning pupil and Bobby's close friend.

Appears from the start

A returning pupil in the third form.

Appears from the start

A returning pupil and Isabel's twin.

Appears from the start

A returning pupil and Pat's twin.

Also known as Roberta

Appears from the start

A returning pupil, Janet's close friend, and an enthusiastic practical joker.

Appears from the start

A responsible returning pupil who has led the form.

Appears from the start

A returning pupil in the third form.

Appears from the start

A returning pupil in the third form.

Appears from the start

A returning pupil in the third form.

Appears from the start

The headmistress of St Clare's.

Appears from the start

The returning French teacher at St Clare's.

Also known as Libby

Appears from the start

A horse-loving day girl joining the third form. She is Will's sister and Fern's cousin, and her family offers St Clare's pupils favourable terms at the nearby Oaks riding stables.

Appears from the start

Libby's fashion-conscious cousin, who is staying with the Francis family while her parents are away. She fears horses, is strongly attached to Will, and is about to join the third form as a day girl.

Appears from the start

Libby's brother and Fern's cousin, a day-school pupil who finds Fern's persistent attention burdensome.

First appears in chapter 2

A new pupil whose parents, Sir Robert and Lady Helen, are celebrated actors. She presents herself as a future actress, but her superior manner leaves her unpopular with most of the form while Alison offers friendship.

First appears in chapter 3

The third-form mistress. She sets clear standards in class and acts as adviser to the pupils' end-of-term play while leaving its important creative decisions to them.

Also known as Jennifer, Jenny

First appears in chapter 5

The games captain, who quickly recognises Libby's natural ability at tennis.

First appears in chapter 6

A difficult, high-spirited horse at the Oaks. Carlotta's circus experience allows her to calm and ride him when others consider him unbroken.

First appears in chapter 7

The title character of Lady Dorinda's Diamonds, the anonymous script selected for the third form's end-of-term production.

Also known as Sara

First appears in chapter 11

Fern's prep-school friend and a former schoolmate of Rachel at De Winter Academy. Her arrival at St Clare's visibly alarms Rachel before their shared history can be discussed.

First appears in chapter 17

Lady Dorinda's accident-prone husband in the form's play. Mirabel is cast in this physically active comic part.

First appears in chapter 18

A member of the Francis family whose panicked approach causes Rocky to rear after Fern's rescue, leading to Carlotta's head injury.

First appears in chapter 20

A teacher whose classes provide replacement scenery after rain ruins the third form's original stage sets.

First appears in chapter 20

A teacher who arranges repairs to the production's cut costumes, helping the form keep the play on schedule.