Corporal punishment procedures (from 1964 official report on Approved Schools)

The Approved School Rules authorize the infliction of corporal punishment by a cane or tawse under specified conditions. Boys of 15 and under may be given not more than three strokes on each hand with a cane; boys under 15 may be given not more than six strokes on the seat with cane or tawse; boys of 15 and over may be given eight strokes, or exceptionally, with the consent of the managers, twelve strokes. In addition the principal teacher of the school may be authorized by the managers to inflict corporal punishment for minor schoolroom offences; the maximum that may be given is two strokes with the cane on each hand.

The Rules require a cane or tawse of a type approved by the Secretary of State to be used. We understand that the tawse is no longer used in English and Welsh schools and a sample was not produced for our inspection. The types of cane in use were approved in 1933 and are issued by the Home Office. There are three grade of cane for use on boys: senior, intermediate and junior. We have examined these canes and think they are adequate for their purpose. Certainly none of them could be considered a brutal weapon. Our only criticism is that the cane used in senior boys’ schools is too thick and rigid and is more likely to cause bruises than pain. We accordingly recommend that a longer cane of slightly smaller diameter be substituted for the pattern at present in use in senior boys' schools.

Safeguards
The safeguards against the excessive use or corporal punishment in approved schools are considerable. Every case where corporal punishment is inflicted must be recorded immediately in the punishment book which every school must keep. This book must be inspected regularly by the managers and the school medical officer and a return made quarterly to the Home Office. Moreover, inspectors visiting the schools regularly examine the punishment book and call for an explanation of any cases where the punishment appears excessive or irregular.

Corporal punishment may be inflicted only by the headmaster (or acting headmaster) or by an officer of the school in the presence and under the direction of the headmaster; it may not be inflicted in the presence of other boys. These arrangements are sensible and have the approval of the staff. We understand that many headmasters require another member of the school staff to be present when corporal punishment is inflicted. This appears to safeguard the interests both of the boys and of the headmaster, and we recommend that the Rules be amended to make its adoption compulsory.

Frequency of corporal punishment
It is stated in the Statutory Rules that 'every effort shall be made to enforce discipline without resort to corporal punishment', and we are satisfied that in the very large majority of cases the cane is used judiciously and never excessively. No witness has argued that corporal punishment should be abolished, and even headmasters who very rarely resort to it regard it as a useful punishment for the recalcitrant youth who is impervious to persuasion and unaffected by other methods of punishment. We accept this view and consider that the power to give corporal punishment is necessary if discipline in approved schools is to be maintained satisfactorily.

Sample listing from approved school punishment book of 1950