Girls’ Crystal was launched in October 1935 by Fleetway as a story paper and re-launched as a comic in March 1953.
While the DC Thomson girl’s comics featured famous schools like St Elmo’s School for Girls (Bunty) and Hollydale High (Judy), Girls’ Crystal readers had Shod Street Secondary Modern.
Its heroine, Cherry, wanted to go to St Hilda’s Grammar but was reminded of her duty by the games mistress: “An old-established school is all very well, but there’s not the challenge and excitement we’ve got here”. These words brought “a wonderful lift to Cherry’s spirits” and made her feel “a bond between her and the teacher”.
Girls’ Crystal was merged with School Friend in May 1963.