CS 52a Rosamund Heads the Chalet School by Lisa Townsend

When Rosamund Lilley returns to the Chalet School for her last year, she’s surprised to find that she’s been made Head Girl, instead of close friend Len Maynard.  While Rosamund quickly proves her effectiveness as Head Girl in the eyes of others, convincing herself that she can do the job is more difficult. Len is not her usual self either, and Rosamund worries that Len does not think her fit to be Head Girl.  

The first half of term is a tumultuous one, even for the Chalet School. There’s the new girl whose bright red hair gets cropped on her second day at school, an unknown American who keeps appearing at the most inopportune times, filled with questions, and the mysterious disappearance of a troublesome Fourth former, which throws the entire school into disarray. In addition, the girls enjoy a busy half term that culminates in a trip to Interlaken to watch Old Girl Nina Rutherford perform.

By the second half of term Rosamund has found her feet as Head Girl and is looking forward to the future. But then a troubling letter from home arrives, and Rosamund’s life is turned upside down as she is forced to make a choice with implications for Len Maynard as well as herself.

Rosamund Heads the Chalet School takes place during the same term as Redheads at the Chalet School. It explores this term from the perspective of Rosamund Lilley, whose tenure as Head Girl was curiously overlooked by Elinor M Brent-Dyer.

Rosamund Heads the Chalet School was published on 12 October 2023.