Saturday, 11 May, 1974
Cane speaking
I used to go to a school where they didn't use corporal punishment, but now my family have moved house I
go to a school where they have the cane. I'm now nervous every time I go to school in case I break one of the rules
and get sent for a caning. Boys who have had the cane say that it really hurts. I don't see why teachers should
have to hit children to keep order. In my other school, boys behaved themselves without the threat of the cane
hanging over them.
PETER PRISEMAN (14), Nottingham
* What do other readers think? Is the cane needed to keep order in a school? Or should schools that have corporal
punishment get rid of it?
FOLLOW UP LETTERS
Cane and able
When I was in the second year at my grammar school I began to get a bit lazy with my homework, handing it in late
or unfinished. I had several warnings about this and was even put in detention a couple of times, but my work got
worse and worse. Finally, I was caned by the headmaster. I got three strokes of the cane across my bottom and it
was quite painful. After that I was so worried about getting the cane again that I worked really hard at my homework.
So although I did not like it, the caning seemed to work.
GRAHAM HENSON (16), Norwich
Well deserved
I am a fourth form girl in a mixed comprehensive school. Although most of the boys here are OK, a few yobbish ones
sometimes behave in ways that really upset some of the girls. A group of fifth years had been annoying me and my
friends both in an out of school and had been warned about their behaviour by their form master. When their bad
behaviour continued they were taken before the headmaster and they all got a good caning. We never had any trouble
from them again.
MAUREEN COOPER (15), Ilford, Essex
Last resort
I don't know what offences boys get caned for in Peter Priseman's school but in my school you only get the cane
for serious offences. Boys know that if they are caught bullying or smoking or anything serious like that they
will get a ‘ swishing’. But you don't get the cane for less serious things like being late for school or forgetting
homework. I have never been caned and I don't expect to be as long as I behave myself.
DANIEL ALLINGTON (14), St Albans, Herts
Belt up!
Up here in Scotland the cane is a rarity. I think a few boarding schools use it, but most state schools use the
belt to punish pupils. The belt is a long thick strap of brown leather, with two or three tails. You are expected
to hold out your hand without flinching, for anything up to four or five cuts, although two or three is more normal.
You usually get belted on one hand, but if your offence is serious you may get it on both hands. The belt is very
painful and your hands feel sore and tender for quite a while after a good belting. Although the fear of the belt
probably stops some boys misbehaving, I don't think any school should need to use such a severe punishment.
ALASDAIR STEWART, Glasgow
Quick justice
I am now a sixth former but in my earlier years at this school I was caned on several occasions. I must admit that
I deserved all those canings (and probably more) and didn't resent the punishments. Although the cane is unpleasant
I think I preferred to get my punishment over and done with, rather than have to waste time writing lines or sitting
in detention. People who want to get rid of the cane should tell us what they would put in its place.
GEOFFREY CHANT (18) Devizes, Wilts
Cane protest
In my school you get the cane across your hand if you misbehave in class and it really stings. I got caned last
week for being late for a lesson. I got two strokes and my hand was hurting for the rest of the lesson, which stopped
me concentrating on the work. I think the cane must hurt more on the hand than on the bottom. At my school most
boys are frightened of the cane so I suppose that it must help discipline.
JONATHAN COLLEY (13), Leicester