Every individual must begin somewhere, and so I shall commence. This reflection is prompted by recent discussions concerning Miss Simms and her male admirers at Tolgus School, as recounted in various correspondence and social forums. One might inquire whether any readers have ever derived satisfaction from being disciplined by a teacher of the opposite sex, or perhaps wished for such an occurrence.
I must state, with regret, that I cannot confess to harbouring any such inclination. During my years at secondary school, when such sentiments might have arisen, the institution was exclusively male. There were no female members of the teaching staff, save for the headmaster’s secretary, the matron, and the ladies who served in the dining hall.
Nevertheless, it appears that such experiences have indeed occurred. Within the extensive archives of the Forum, there exists an account from a contributor who describes how a class of adolescent boys influenced a young, inexperienced female teacher to administer corporal punishment with a slipper as a disciplinary measure. It is reported that she adapted to this role with remarkable ease and, in time, found the practice agreeable, to the mutual satisfaction of all involved—so it is alleged.
Furthermore, another contributor recounts his considerable efforts to persuade his Russian language teacher—said to bear a resemblance to Miss Anna Kournikova—to administer corporal punishment in the language laboratory. His request was for four strokes of the strap upon his person, a request complicated by the school’s policy that such punishment be delivered only to the hand.
There is also the case of a schoolgirl who insisted upon receiving corporal punishment in the same manner as her male peers, declining the alternative disciplinary measures typically offered to girls. There is no suggestion that her motivation was inspired by any particular qualities of the male teacher, but the incident is nonetheless relevant to the subject at hand.
It is possible that other pertinent accounts exist, though I am unable to recall them at present, nor can I locate the three aforementioned examples. It is hoped that another reader may be able to provide further information.
During my own schooldays in England in the 1970s, the majority of primary school teachers were women, and some did administer corporal punishment to both boys and girls. This was generally limited to a slap on the legs or buttocks, or a strike with a ruler, rather than the more severe penalties such as the cane or slipper, which were reserved for older pupils. At secondary school, it was customary for children to be disciplined by teachers of the same sex, although I do recall an occasion when a boy in my class was struck by a female teacher. He had provoked her considerably, and she, in a moment of genuine anger, struck him
