Set at the fictional school of Eckleton, the story centres upon the "house of Kay's", the riotous boys therein, its tactless, unpopular master Mr Kay, and Fenn, the head boy. The story features practical jokes, fighting between the boys, burglaries, a mugging in the local village, politics amongst the houses of the school, a trip to an army-style camp, and plenty of cricket, rugby, and other school sports.