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Original poster

School Stories

79 replies

BookwormBeryl · 30/01/2026 17:14

At the ripe old age of 72 I am doing research into British children's school stories published between 1900 and 1950. Yes, I know, a bit mad, and I am unlikely to come across many of you born that far back but I am wondering if any of you (older ones, polite cough) remember reading such stories, and if so which ones, did you enjoy them and why? And did your kids and now grandkids read them? Did you encourage them to or did you pass them down your old copies maybe? We're talking here typically Enid Blyton's Malory Towers series and similar, also of course the Chalet School, written mainly in the 50s and 60s. If you did enjoy them what for you was the magic ingredient? There is quite a nostalgic movement out there and some of the early original printed stories (say 1930s on) get amazing prices on Ebay, so there must be some interest. But I need to get a feel for what drew you to them, if you can remember that far back. Thanks.

OP posts:
HappyFrappy · 31/01/2026 07:45

Do you want insights from younger ones who also read those books, or only people who remember them when they were published?

In case the former is helpful, I loved Enid Blyton school stories, but quickly graduated into the Chalet School. I loved seeing the characters grow up and have families of their own and them coming back to the school.

I've managed to get my children to read Malory Towers and St Clare's, which they've loved. They've also really enjoyed the more modern updating of Malory Towers on TV, though obviously get annoyed when the story deviates (e.g. Clarissa in Felicity's class, not Darrell's). But Chalet School is just too old fashioned for them to be able to get into. I'm sad about it - if they had got into it, there's the whole series of paper acks awaiting them!

Original poster
BookwormBeryl · 31/01/2026 07:39

Angela Brazil has been really slanted because she is so idealistic and everything is romantic and desirable. But she has also been praised for creating the girls school story right at the start of the 1900s (before emancipation) and I think thats true. Her girls arent soppy in the slightest - true grit comes to mind. If you've got old copies hang on to them or pass them on where they will be appreciated - they will increase in value! Thx for your feedback.

OP posts:
samlovesdilys · 30/01/2026 18:07

I have some Angela Brazil’s that I love, my uncle gave them to me as a box of second books years ago, my favourite was always ‘the school in the south’, I also loved ‘at school with the Stanhopes’ by Gwendoline Courtney and the Dimsie series. And of course chalet school….

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