(gap: 2s) In reflecting upon the discipline of my school days, I am reminded of the values that shaped our generation. In the late 1960s, in the heart of Liverpool, the council estates bustled with life and the laughter of children, yet the guiding hand of discipline was never far away.
(pause) At Meadway Secondary School in Reading, Carol, born in 1959, recounted a memorable incident from her years between 1970 and 1976. On one occasion, she received a firm slap across the lower part of her body from a male teacher. This was most unusual, as typically, male teachers would only administer punishment with a slipper. The event left a visible chalk handprint, a stark reminder of the consequences of misbehaviour. Carol recalled that the teacher, known for his sternness, would often utter, “Silence, Miss [surname omitted],” and on the day of her punishment, he left her with both a physical and moral impression. As he departed the school, he remarked, “I shall see you in the employment queue,” yet Carol, with determination, secured a position immediately, proving her resilience.
(pause) It is noteworthy that most young ladies of the time only ever received a single punishment, suggesting that corporal discipline was indeed effective as a deterrent. In this region, far fewer girls were disciplined compared to other parts of England. Only two girls were known to have been punished more than once. Brenda, from Slough, was the most frequent recipient of such correction, and her story is particularly instructive.
(pause) In my own experience, corporal punishment was rarely used in primary school, and then, mostly with boys. When it was administered, it was done with solemnity and care, and it served as a clear warning to others. In secondary school, especially in boys’ schools, it was more common, but its effectiveness varied. Sometimes, frequent use diminished its impact, and it became less a lesson and more a routine.
(pause) In the Berkshire area during the 1970s, it was not uncommon for schools to employ the cane or slipper, particularly for boys. Although my research focuses on the experiences of girls, it is important to note that discipline was a part of the educational fabric for all.
I remember a friend of ours back then saying that his son had been caned in school. I was a bit surprised and said that I thought that schools had stopped doing that by then. My friend didn’t seem too concerned and said at least that his son had kept his trousers on when he was caned at school. I didn’t press for more details! We must remember that this was 40 or 50 years ago.
I’m glad you appreciate these threads. In reference to Meadway Secondary in Reading Carol stated:
‘Shut up [surname omitted] was all he ever said to me! He slapped my arse one day and left a chalk handprint! He also said see you in the dole queue [surname omitted] as he left when we did and signed on for a year or two until he got his pension! Think he was shocked I got a job straight away’
I’m guessing that this was a single slap rather than a full on spanking.
Unfortunately, most accounts on facebook don’t provide how many times an individual received SCP. Despite this, you do make an interesting point regarding the usage of SCP being more effective on girls. Whilst researching the East Midlands area I managed to procure a punishment book from a Derby based Lower Secondary School that was complete from 1976 to 1981. This enabled me to make a comparison study that actually supports this statement. If you’re interested the findings are here.
In reference to the South East Region, Berkshire is only a small part of it. Once I’ve completed the other counties, I think we’ll have substantial numbers, though probably not as many as the North West.
Finally, regarding Brenda’s punishments at Warrenfield Secondary in Slough she doesn’t provide too much detail. In response to a the mandatory ‘Peter John fez up’ and ;Viz spoof claims’ thread she merely states:
‘Got the lot and more lol’
and
‘Lol I had the cane the slipper the ruler lol and the black board rubber chucked at me lol never done me no harm’
Furthermore, she provides more evidence in a Peter John SCP poll by ticking the following:
‘I got my arse caned 2 strokes’
‘I got my arse caned 3 strokes’
‘I got both hands caned 1 on each hand’
Hello Oliver Sidney,
I’m glad you like my post, and there are many more to follow. Regarding SCP being more effective on girls there are so many factors to consider, though I did post some statistics and personal analysis on the aforementioned thread where I had access to an actual punishment book, if you didn’t see it first time it might be worth a look for your to draw your own conclusion.
Hello six of the best,
It doesn’t surprise that your friend’s son was caned in the 1970s in a school in that area. I’ve encountered countless accounts of male pupils received SCP from mostly male but occasional female teachers. There are too many accounts for me to list. However, once I complete this project, I intend to randomly pick a school from each county and perform some comparative studies.
Hello Stujos,
As of yet I’m not sure if South East girls are most descriptive in their recollections. I look forward to finding out in a couple of months when I complete the region.
It doesn’t surprise that your friend’s son was caned in the 1970s in a school in that area. I’ve encountered countless accounts of male pupils received SCP from mostly male but occasional female teachers. There are too many accounts for me to list. However, once I complete this project, I intend to randomly pick a school from each county and perform some comparative studies.Hi I, Researcher,
The lad I mentioned was caned in the late 1970s, over 40 years ago. His dad, my friend, certainly approved of SCP provided it was deserved.
I’m a little concerned about some people’s geography. No way is Berkshire in the South East. I’ve always thought of the South East as being east of London.
Berkshire is west of Oxfordshire with Buckinghamshire is very much central above London with Middlesex to the west of London and Hampshire to its south west. Some counties stretch from the east towards what I’d call ‘central south midlands’.
Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk are certainly south east counties. All this depends on where you are based or where you grew up.
I grew up in a large city in the south west that some folk in Cornwall regarded as the bottom end of the South Midlands!
Returning to I, Researcher’s data none of this is particularly relevant. The rules concerning SCP varied greatly with one school only a few miles from another with very different rules.
Can I also point out that parental attitudes also varied greatly in the years that are included in some of I, Researcher’s data. Many parents in the early 1950s still used spanking at home. Whereas by the early 1980s very few parents still used it in the home.
Please understand that all that I have written here is not intended in any way as a criticism of I, Researcher’s fine research.
I remember a friend of ours back then saying that his son had been caned in school. I was a bit surprised and said that I thought that schools had stopped doing that by then. My friend didn’t seem too concerned and said at least that his son had kept his trousers on when he was caned at school. I didn’t press for more details! We must remember that this was 40 or 50 years ago.
I’m glad you appreciate these threads. In reference to Meadway Secondary in Reading Carol stated:
‘Shut up [surname omitted] was all he ever said to me! He slapped my arse one day and left a chalk handprint! He also said see you in the dole queue [surname omitted] as he left when we did and signed on for a year or two until he got his pension! Think he was shocked I got a job straight away’
I’m guessing that this was a single slap rather than a full on spanking.
Unfortunately, most accounts on facebook don’t provide how many times an individual received SCP. Despite this, you do make an interesting point regarding the usage of SCP being more effective on girls. Whilst researching the East Midlands area I managed to procure a punishment book from a Derby based Lower Secondary School that was complete from 1976 to 1981. This enabled me to make a comparison study that actually supports this statement. If you’re interested the findings are here.
In reference to the South East Region, Berkshire is only a small part of it. Once I’ve completed the other counties, I think we’ll have substantial numbers, though probably not as many as the North West.
Finally, regarding Brenda’s punishments at Warrenfield Secondary in Slough she doesn’t provide too much detail. In response to a the mandatory ‘Peter John fez up’ and ;Viz spoof claims’ thread she merely states:
‘Got the lot and more lol’
and
‘Lol I had the cane the slipper the ruler lol and the black board rubber chucked at me lol never done me no harm’
Furthermore, she provides more evidence in a Peter John SCP poll by ticking the following:
‘I got my arse caned 2 strokes’
‘I got my arse caned 3 strokes’
‘I got both hands caned 1 on each hand’
Hello Oliver Sidney,
I’m glad you like my post, and there are many more to follow. Regarding SCP being more effective on girls there are so many factors to consider, though I did post some statistics and personal analysis on the aforementioned thread where I had access to an actual punishment book, if you didn’t see it first time it might be worth a look for your to draw your own conclusion.
Hello six of the best,
It doesn’t surprise that your friend’s son was caned in the 1970s in a school in that area. I’ve encountered countless accounts of male pupils received SCP from mostly male but occasional female teachers. There are too many accounts for me to list. However, once I complete this project, I intend to randomly pick a school from each county and perform some comparative studies.
Hello Stujos,
As of yet I’m not sure if South East girls are most descriptive in their recollections. I look forward to finding out in a couple of months when I complete the region.
It doesn’t surprise that your friend’s son was caned in the 1970s in a school in that area. I’ve encountered countless accounts of male pupils received SCP from mostly male but occasional female teachers. There are too many accounts for me to list. However, once I complete this project, I intend to randomly pick a school from each county and perform some comparative studies.Hi I, Researcher,
The lad I mentioned was caned in the late 1970s, over 40 years ago. His dad, my friend, certainly approved of SCP provided it was deserved.
I’m a little concerned about some people’s geography. No way is Berkshire in the South East. I’ve always thought of the South East as being east of London.
Berkshire is west of Oxfordshire with Buckinghamshire is very much central above London with Middlesex to the west of London and Hampshire to its south west. Some counties stretch from the east towards what I’d call ‘central south midlands’.
Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk are certainly south east counties. All this depends on where you are based or where you grew up.
I grew up in a large city in the south west that some folk in Cornwall regarded as the bottom end of the South Midlands!
Returning to I, Researcher’s data none of this is particularly relevant. The rules concerning SCP varied greatly with one school only a few miles from another with very different rules.
Can I also point out that parental attitudes also varied greatly in the years that are included in some of I, Researcher’s data. Many parents in the early 1950s still used spanking at home. Whereas by the early 1980s very few parents still used it in the home.
Please understand that all that I have written here is not intended in any way as a criticism of I, Researcher’s fine research.
