Mass canings common, punishment book reveals

 

The traditional “six-of-the-best” was rare at Wednesbury Boys’ High School, but mass canings were not. This is revealed in an analysis of punishment books between the years 1958 and 1974 at the school in the English midlands.

A website of old boys’ memories of the school reports, “It is interesting to note that ‘six-of-the best’ was a very rare occurrence. Indeed, I spotted only one – for defacing school furniture.

“There seem to have been a lot of mass canings – often for ‘attending a fight’ or ‘condoning a brawl’.

“The tariff (that is, how many strokes were administered) did seem to vary enormously, and obviously consistency was not a worry for ECW [Edgar C. Whitcombe, the headmaster]. Some of the offences for which caning was used seem laughable today. My favourite is three strokes for ‘singing at the end of morning service’.

“One name (surname beginning with M) seemed to crop up several times on every page in the early 60s. I would love to know how he turned out, for it was clear that he did not respond well to authority!”

It is reported that the punishment was always carried out at break, in the headmaster’s study, whose window was clearly visible from the tennis courts and nearby playground. “Great entertainment. There was always another member of staff present, and his initials were recorded in the book.”

Pages from the punishment books appear on the website.

Traditional School Discipline

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