The Head Girl at the Gables

"The Head Girl at the Gables" by Angela Brazil is a children’s novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Lorraine Forrester, a new Sixth Form student at The Gables school, who has just been appointed as the head girl. The book explores themes of leadership, friendship, and the challenges of school life as Lorraine navigates her responsibilities and relationships with fellow students, particularly amid rivalries and the dynamics of authority in a school setting. The opening portion of the story introduces us to the school environment just before the autumn term begins, focusing on the selection of the new head girl. Miss Kingsley is in search of a suitable candidate who demonstrates responsibility and character, eventually settling on Lorraine, despite her quiet nature. As the school year kicks off, we see Lorraine’s journey unfold through her interactions with various characters, including her cousin Vivien and new ally Claudia Castleton, setting the stage for the challenges she will face in her new role. Through detailed discussions among the teachers and the anticipation among the students, Brazil paints a vivid picture of the social dynamics and goes on to delve into Lorraine’s initial experiences as head girl.