Prudence Arnold

Prudence Arnold is a student at St Clare's School. She is the main antagonist in Summer Term at St Clares.

Backstory
Prudence's father is a clergyman, and she was brought up strictly in a vicarage. When she misbehaved when she was younger, instead of punishing her, her parents would get upset and beg her to do better. Prudence was spoilt by her indulging parents.

History
Prudence sucks up to Sadie Greene when she finds out that Sadie is an heiress, and befriends Pam Boardman to pick her brains. Janet Robins accidentally spills water down Prudence's back, and she makes a fuss to Miss Roberts. Janet has to write out some geography rules in Prudence's book, but Bobby Ellis does it for her so Janet can go to the cinema. Prudence sneaks to Miss Roberts, and Janet is punished, but Bobby threatens Prudence. Bobby and Prudence dislike each other, and Bobby nicknames her 'Sour Milk'. Prudence is jealous of Carlotta Brown's water acrobatics, and accuses her of showing off, so Janet pushes her into the swimming pool. Bobby tells Carlotta to put a frog on Prudence's desk, and Prudence blames Carlotta, causing Mam'zelle to be angry. Miss Roberts forces Prudence to write a note of apology to Mam'zelle for her behaviour. Prudence discovers Carlotta's secret - that she is a circus girl - and exposes her, causing her even more admiration and friendship. A trick by Bobby earns the class a French test, which Prudence decides to cheat on. Bobby and Carlotta discover this, as does Miss Theobald. Prudence sends Miss Theobald a note saying that she has learned her lesson, which Miss Theobald does not believe. Prudence is determined to get even with Carlotta, and runs into a man in the lane with Pam. He gives her a note, which Prudence assumes is for Carlotta, but Carlotta realises it was for Sadie. Sadie is kidnapped, witnessed by Prudence, who comes running back and discovers Carlotta, Pat, Isabel and Alison O'Sullivan. When Sadie and Carlotta return, Prudence is interviewed by the policemen and is expelled by Miss Theobald at the end of the term.

Trivia

 * She is mentioned several times by the girls throughout the years in reference to her feud with Carlotta.
 * Ironically, the name Prudence means 'good judgement'