Lovelymuffins, I hope things have improved for you with your dd. If so, would love to know what worked, as I'm in the same position.
Dd is 13 Y9 (young for her year group). To be honest, she has always been a challenge right from the start; she had incredible toddler tantrums and has been a handful at school when she's not been challenged enough. At primary school, she was at her best with the teachers who really kept her busy (other kids didn't necessarily get on with those teachers, but it worked for her). If she disliked a teacher, I would find that she stole things from them, e.g. phones etc, even though she knows right from wrong - she was just angry.
Now she tells me to fuck off, as I'm interfering in her life. Some moments are good and she enjoys a cuddle in front of a chic flit or going for a walk together, but mention that she looks better without makeup, ought to revise for exams, let me know before she arranges to go out with friends in case we're doing something different etc and I get the storm.
DS is so much easier. I agree with lovelymuffins that their personality is with them from the start. Some parents here have come across as smug, but really they haven't had as much input as they would like to think.
Now she's really messing about at school and doesn't care about detentions, when a few years ago she thrived on learning and was praised for it.
Oh joy.