Book set in English boarding school in 1970s?

[halcyondays]

Vaguely remember reading a series of books set in a girls' boarding school which were probably written and set in the late 70s. Can't remember much apart from someone playing Abba records and possibly one of the characters had a name beginning with V. They were books I borrowed from the library and were fairly thick hardbacks I think. I don't think it was Trebizon or Antonia Forest as I don't think I ever read any of these. Other books which I know I read were set earlier, such as Dimsie books.

St Clare's and Mallory tower book series - Both by Enid Blyton

those are pre 70s though....

Wow, I immediately assumed you meant Trebizon. Could the Mallory Towers books have had some sort of update edition??

Sorry I don't know - This blog post has some possibilities?

Thanks, it wasn't Enid Blyton, it was written later and was more modern in style.

As a devoted fan of school stories I instantly thought of Trebizon and Antonia Forest, but then read your whole post.

My initial reaction was Trebizon... but thickish hardbacks sounds more like Antonia Forest. I don't remember an Abba reference, but there was definitely a mention of 'Up Pompeii'. I know you say you don't think you've read Antonia Forest, but I'd look at her books. Not least because they're brilliant even if they're not the books you're looking for.

I'd agree that Antonia Forest sounds quite likely, though Star Trek is the most up to date reference i remember in those. One of the Marlows was Virginia, but she was usually Ginny unless being addressed by a teacher.

There was another series I remember, school was called Balcombe Hall or something similar. Girls were called Jenny, Ariel etc. I read them in the 80s, a bit like Trebizon I think.