‘Mundane and petty’ offences get you the cane

 

Pupils were caned for ‘mundane and petty’ offences and not all punishments fitted the crime. These were some of the findings from the punishment book for John Ruskin school from the 1950s to the 1970s.

‘The numbers punished increase up to the late 1950s, the peak year being 1956/57. This may be a reflection of the rise in total number of pupils in the post WW2 years, but the numbers certainly declined during the 1960s and 1970s. It is not believed that the other slight peaks and troughs are statistically significant. For instance, it was not uncommon for a number of pupils to be punished at one time for a group offence, thus distorting the figures.’

A review of the punishment book was published on the John Ruskin School Alumni Site.

‘There was a wide range of pupils' ages represented, even occasionally 1st years (11-12 years old) or Lower 6th (about 16 years old). It is not surprising to find that the median age is about 14 years. The researchers are not convinced that all punishments are necessarily recorded.

‘However, the register seems to reflect life at the school in a reasonably accurate way. Much of it is mundane and petty, but with important social issues being raised, and last but not least, for ex-pupils at least, a good deal of humour, some of the black kind. Not all the punishment fitted the crime, but that is not unexpected. However, the brief comments of both Mr. Lowe and Mr. Patterson show a concern not to be unfair.

‘Smoking naturally occurs regularly, and one Lower Sixth former was taken to Mr. Lowe for the offence but refused punishment. Following temporary exclusion from school and an interview with the boy's parents, the punishment was accepted five days later. Not many refused the cane, and none escaped it eventually.

‘It is interesting to note that some teachers who were at the school for many years never feature in the book, presumably either through distaste for the system or because they found alternative ways of control.’

John Ruskin was a school in Croydon, on the border of south London and Surrey. It had at one time been a grammar school and was demolished to make way for housing in 1991.

Here is an extract from the website listing the misdemeanours recorded. They are in no particular order.

Here’s a page from the book outlining the rules of engagement. Note that pupils could be punished for disorderly conduct on the way to and from school.

Traditional School Discipline

Traditionalschooldiscipline@gmail.com