As regular as a metronome, the next stroke landed. To my horror this elicited a real scream and the sound of poor Lindsey bursting into tears. I was very close to tears myself, but couldn't help listening in horrified fascination.

Lynne said that after the caning her bottom was sore for several weeks and she had been unable to sleep properly. I am a great advocate of corporal punishment. Occasional sharp reminders of the rules, or half a dozen good reasons to change for the better.’ It's going to be six for you Thomas, this time. Make no mistake, even for a senior, six strokes of the cane will be a very salutary lesson and, you can take it from me, it's going to be a lesson that you will not forget in a hurry."Mrs Seaton passed me a box of tissues and I took one and tried to dry my eyes. She warned me to behave myself in future and told me that if I didn't like the cane from her I would like it a lot less from the headmaster. Lynne was suspended for half a day by Miss Dines for the pen incident and her father gave her the strap. I was beginning to think that Lindsey's punishment was over - although five seemed an odd number of strokes - when I heard again the awful sound of that cane, but even louder than before. Sir -- I quite agree that corporal punishment is necessary for some girls, but surely the natural modesty of those over 15 or 16 years of age should be taken into account. The wearing of a bathing dress or other thin garment will make no difference to the severity of the punishment. Women like "Headmistress", who is probably hated and feared by the majority of her pupils, will eventually kill the boarding school system. I am told that in the English schools girls over 16 rarely receive corporal punishment. Now, I am a Protestant, neither "very poor" nor "new rich", in fact, a member of the professional class, and yet I dislike the thought of my girls leaving school embittered by excessively humiliating punishments. Therefore, I am sending them to a boarding school conducted by nuns, who use neither strap nor cane, and I am convinced that there they will learn both self-control and the "solid virtues necessary to continue my work" ("B.R."). I would recommend both "Headmistress" and "B.R." to read any standard book on child psychology, when they will learn that humiliation breeds hatred and a desire for revenge.

It was true that additional privileges and freedoms were granted to senior boys, but it was firmly on the basis they should be mature enough to work hard without such close supervision, and the suggestion this was to blame for poor test results had infuriated Sophie during that previous tutorial meeting. January, and the beginning of spring term, now seemed a long time ago, but she remembered their conversation clearly and recalled how she struggled to remain calm. A pupil being interviewed for a place by headmistress Ms Bartholomew. Picture: Henry Grant (Image: Archant) At Gospel Oak, there were two sizes of canes - one for students up to 10 years old, and a larger one for anyone above. She had her bicycle with her, but was too sore to ride all three miles and her parents were worrying about her when she got home. She and the office staff had tried in vain to get a message to them.

The Ultimatum

He still tried to keep his face straight, not showing any fear. But his confidence was almost gone. However, I’d make sure he’d learn. I adressed the three pupils facing the wall. So, to business. Your parents are not happy with the way things are. Specifically, they do not think you are behaving in the mature fashion we would expect of a young adult your age.’ I was just very playful, excited and wanted to do silly things and show off to the girls - and that was hard to contain!

Although we considered bad behaviour in general somewhat disreputable and beneath us, certain crimes, as we called them, commanded respect. To have to see the headmistress for misbehaviour on a public bus was unthinkable. To have to see her for reading Ulysses was an entirely different matter – particularly if the ‘criminal’ had a witty observation about the book to entertain her friends with. Remember, she is going to tell us how you get on, and whether you were co-operative or not …‘ my father said. ‘… And if you are, this will be the end of it. If not – you will lose your phone.’ Lynne said Miss Dines told her her parents would receive a letter in the post the next morning. "I did not want them to know, but she said it was the regulation."If head teachers are so worried that their actions may lead to court appearances and public argument then they just cannot do their work properly. And when that situation arises it is bad for the whole community. Now, Goodwyn, I shall give you 6 strokes. Four for your untidyness, and two for your impertinent behavior. Now, you shall not get up before I say so, and you will in neither way interfere with your punishment – or it will be a lot worse. Understood?” Well aware of the fact this off-the-record punishment had already pushed the boundaries of appropriateness to breaking point, she hesitated once again before making up her mind. "You're not done yet. Pants too! Put them over there with the rest of your clothes." Now, I am going to give you 8 strokes, over your underpants. If you struggle or in any other way interfere with your punishment, you will receive extra. Is that clear? Your parents will have told you something of our discussions, and the conclusions we reached. They will have explained to you that in my role as a Deputy Headmistress, I was responsible for the discipline of pupils, and that I have strong beliefs about the most efficient and effective techniques for modifying behaviour.’

Good morning, err, afternoon err …’ I stammered, suddenly confused as to the appropriate greeting for precisely noon.While she was still on her way Mrs Seaton went on to say that, in the absence of the headmaster, she would be punishing the boys, too. She read out my name and form and that I was to be punished for being sent out three times, and then told me, too, to wait outside her room. I had just been caned by the Headmistress before leaving the school so I was doing my best to recover myself while hobbling to my home. In the circumstances I will have to insist we treat this as an informal and discretionary punishment. It will not be officially recorded in the House register, which means it will stay between these four walls, and you will be pleased to note that it will not appear on your permanent academic record." Members of the staff afterwards crowded round Miss Dines in court to congratulate her, but neither she nor Lynne's parents would talk to the Press, and Lynne hid her face against her mother's shoulder as they left the court surrounded by national newspaper photographers. In September 1952 the Second World War had finished, the Cold War was gathering momentum, King George VI had not long died, the NHS was in its infancy, Winston Churchill was prime minister, and rationing continued.