Gay Lambert is an impetuous, warm-hearted senior at the Chalet School who quickly takes sad shy Jacynth Hardy under her wing. But the summer term proves to be a difficult one for Gay and her friends when a dreadful accident causes a new headmistress to be appointed.

Authoritarian Miss Bubb has very different views on how a school should be run and soon there is wide discontent. When Gay takes matters into her own hands, it's clear something must be done...