The Best Type of Girl: A History of Girls' Independent Schools

by Gillian Avery

A history of girls' schools, charting the development of individual schools and types of school, and examining all aspects of school life from uniforms, games and rules to how girls' schools were affected by the two world wars.

450 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Gillian Elise Avery was a British children's novelist, and a historian of childhood education and children's literature. She won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1972 for A Likely Lad. It was adapted for television in 1990.

Reviews

[Antigone Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion a really useful book and great for researching details of girls lives, at least those who went to independent schools. I write books, often set in the 1920s, and I have found this book to be one of the most helpful in setting the scene.

[Victoria Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent reference piece for anyone interested in the history of girls private schooling. It may be read cover to cover (I personally was able to finish it in about a week in this fashion, despite its thickness.) It is rather niche, and at times lapses into some of the dullness I associate with the thick, cricket-match-scores-laden histories of boys schools, but honestly I would consider necessary reading for anyone interested in this area. The bibliography alone is a brilliant bringing together of many works, and has provided me with reading material for years.