Ivy House is an Ofsted “outstanding” school attended by the scions of the rural gentry and the aspirant country set, over which headmistress headheadteacher Eve Sturridge presides serenely with her right-hand woman Gail and brash boss Tony. Eve’s well-ordered routine is thrown into disarray by the arrival of A-list power family the Sorensens, and Mike Browning, a “superhead” from an inner city comp brought in to turn a rival school around. Soon, Eve’s boy-crazy daughter Zoe has added another explosive element to the perfect storm in which Eve finds herself.
Outstanding breezes along at a cheery pace, tapping into the zeitgeist in its references to the politics of private education, the lifestyles of the super-rich, revenge porn and same-sex adoption. At times Flett’s plot seems a little implausible, but her well-observed portrayal of family life and engaging characters are likely to strike a chord with private school veterans and parents in general.
Outstanding is published by Quercus (£16.99). Click here to order it for £12.99
