Headmaster made to quit after ‘excessive beatings’

A monk who “used excessive severity when caning boys” was forced to stand down as headmaster.

SCHOOL BEATINGS

PROBE: MONK

TOLD TO QUIT

A MONK who is headmaster of a Roman Catholic approved school heard last night that he must leave the school at once—by order of Home Secretary James Callaghan.

The reasons given in a Home Office statement were that on two occasions the headmaster, 45-year-old Brother Cassian used excessive severity when caning boys.

Brother Cassian has been head of the school, St. Swithins, Yarmouth. Isle of Wight, for six years.

The school is run for the Home Office by the De la Salle Brothers, a Roman Catholic teaching order.

The managers of the school met the Home Secretary yesterday and were given the report of an inquiry into allegations of brutality at the school.

The report showed that most allegations were not proved. But on two occasions. in 1964 and 1966, the headmaster administered corporal punishment with excessive severity, although the number of strokes permitted by the rules was not exceeded.

Mr. Callaghan told the managers that he was satisfied with the general management of the school.

Welfare

He recognised the headmaster's long service and devotion to the welfare of the boys.

The chairman of the managers said last night: “There is no question of Brother Cassian leaving the order.”

Mr. William Williams, an ex-instructor at the school whose allegations led to the inquiry agreed on BBC TV’s 24 Hours last night that he was sacked in 1965.

He said he thought justice had been done through the investigation.

As published in Daily Mirror, 12 January 1968.

Picture credit: Sting Pictures.

Traditional School Discipline

Traditionalschooldiscipline@gmail.com