Sixteen-year-old Miriam is distraught when her parents move her from her 'progressive' school to a boarding school in Scotland renowned for its strict discipline, early morning runs and cold showers. Carstairs Towers is quite a culture shock for Miriam - no laxness is allowed here, and any infractions are swiftly rectified by the enthusiastic application of corporal punishment by the female staff. On her first day at the school, Miriam is caned, and the next day earns further punishments for her misdeeds. But boarding school isn't so bad really, not when you make good friends and have midnight feasts, sponge fights in the bathroom, and sneak out of school in the evening for an adventure. Miriam adjusts to the new regime and even learns to take her whackings stoically. Having a sore bottom is all part of school life, as is the shared camaraderie of her classmates and being accepted as one of the gang.