I would like to share a story with you concerning my Aunt when she was Head of History at an all-girls private boarding school in 1968. I provide an extract lifted from one of her meticulously maintained diaries.

My Aunt, twenty years older than me, passed away this year aged 90. She had never married and lived alone until her sudden death. It was left to me, as her closest living relative and sole beneficiary to her will, to wind up her estate and clear the contents of her home before putting it up for sale. I was staggered when I discovered the extent of her diaries, fastidiously managed over a period of more than sixty years. A page for each day and incidents recorded in detail.

Copious entries referred to her school life in the 1950s through to her retirement in 1990 and I’m going to tell you about an incident described in some detail which clearly made a lasting impact on her. My Aunt, Mary or Miss Thomas to her students, was Head of History and taught girls up to A level standard. In January 1968 she was preparing a group of fourth year students for their examinations.

The diary entry for Thursday 25th January 1968 read:

Dear Diary. I was summoned to Mrs Hunter’s office. A prefect, Grace Fitzwilliam, had been sent to ask me to go to the headmistress immediately to discuss a very important issue that couldn’t wait. Grace had been instructed to oversee my class until I returned. Even with my 16 years teaching experience a summons to the headmistress’s office filled me with trepidation.

The headmistress came straight to the point. “Hello Mary. Rachael Stokes. Tell me about her.”

I was taken by surprise, but answered honestly. “She’s a lovely girl. Exceptionally bright. A pleasure to teach. Why do you ask, headmistress?”

“She’s in trouble. She was apprehended at 2.00 am this morning daubing graffiti on the outer school perimeter wall. The caretaker was returning home, chased after her and detained her. She is refusing to divulge the name of her accomplice. I have involved you for two reasons, Mary. I will come to the second reason in a moment. After interviewing Miss Stokes I am clear that she has much respect for you and has been influenced by you. I can’t get through to her and I think you might. My second reason is that I want you to cane her. Six strokes prior to me expelling her.”

“I am shocked, headmistress. This is most unexpected. And why have you chosen me to cane her?”

“As you know, I was appointed Headmistress on a three month temporary contract after Miss Graham left at short notice. I was due to retire and was asked to stay on until a permanent replacement could be found. Six months later, I’m still here and still wanting to retire. I’ve never caned a girl, nor wanted to, but that has not been a problem because my deputy, Mrs Bolton, has carried out any necessary canings on my behalf over the last six months. Mrs Bolton is unfortunately in hospital and will not be returning. I am aware that at your last school, as a deputy housemistress you caned students and so I am calling upon your experience. I realise this is above your pay grade but remember a vacancy for the post of Deputy Headmistress will need to be filled in the near future.”

“Rachael must have given a reason for her inexplicable behaviour,” I inquired.

“I was not in a listening mood. She kept referring to a history lesson with you. Something about slavery and our esteemed school being founded on wealth generated from the slave trade. Stupid girl. She needs to be caned for her act of vandalism and then thrown out of the school that has provided her with an excellent education.”

“I will investigate but please keep an open mind until I have completed my task. If after my investigation Rachael needs to be caned I will do it.”

****

The diary entry for Friday 26th January 1968 read:

A frightened young lady sat before me attempting to convince me that right was on her side.

“Your history lesson on the evils of the slave trade deeply affected me and encouraged me to carry out further research beyond the syllabus for my forthcoming A level exam. What I discovered so incensed me I was driven to draw attention to a gross injustice to the descendants of the slave trade and I have no regrets.”

I replied, “I admire your principles but I am fighting to prevent you from being expelled. You need to show regret and ask to be forgiven. As it is you will be caned, so start thinking about your future. I might be able to get your sentence reduced if you tell me who was with you.”

“I am terrified of being caned but it is a price I am prepared to pay. Furthermore I want to be caned in front of the whole school. I want everyone to know why. I want everyone to hear me crying out as I am whipped, just like the slaves.”

I shook my head in disbelief.

“That’s certainly not going to happen. You will report to the headmistress’s office where you will be caned by me in private.”

I reported back to Mrs Hunter and painted the best picture I could on behalf of Rachael. Mrs Hunter had certainly calmed down but was still keen on six strokes to be administered but appeared to have held back on expulsion.

“I will arrange for her to attend my office 10.00 am Monday morning for a caning. I know you like the girl but she must be properly punished.”

Mrs Hunter is right. I respect and admire Rachael. The perfect private school pupil. Well balanced, kind, and her family’s enormous wealth does not affect her in any way. Humble, but at the same time confident. I do not want to cane her but it will be the best for her and I have no choice.

The diary entry Monday 29th January 1968 read:

A difficult day but it could turn out to be rewarding for me. I arrived at Mrs Hunter’s office at 09.45 feeling nervous, not having caned a girl for over two years. Mrs Hunter presented me with what she called the senior cane. Longer and heavier than any cane I had previously used. I am not squeamish when it comes to administering corporal punishment. I looked back over previous diary entries and as deputy housemistress I carried out 18 canings varying from two strokes over the hands to six strokes over the bottom. I was informed the caning would be carried out on the girl’s bottom.

Rachael arrived on time looking suitably nervous but with chin up, shoulders back and making eye contact. Almost defiant. The procedures and rules were explained to her by the headmistress. I took notice because I thought I might be called upon to carry out more canings in the future.

The girl was told to bend over and grab her ankles. This was a new position for me. Previously I had caned or spanked pupils with them bending over a chair or desk to give them some support.

I flipped up her skirt. As a sixth former, she is allowed to wear tights or stockings and Rachael was wearing a suspender belt and stockings. Although I am quite fond of Rachael I was determined to cane hard and make a good impression with Mrs H.

I was very pleased with the first stroke, my first use of the cane for two years. It swished accurately to the centre of Rachael’s bottom with some force but I still had more power in reserve. She was clearly shaken and lurched forward with a howl, clutching her bottom. Neither Mrs H nor myself said anything and the girl voluntarily resumed her position after a few seconds in readiness for the second stroke, even lifting her skirt.

The second stroke was delivered with equal ferocity just below the first stroke. Intended not to overlap but would be close enough for the resulting welts to merge. It pleased me that I appear to have lost none of my accuracy and expertise. Rachael was ready for the second stroke and held her position without uttering a sound other than an intake of breath.

Time for me to step up the strength of my next four strokes. I felt that unless Rachael was groaning Mrs H would think I was going easy on her and not being effective. The third stroke was delivered and I used my technique of flicking my wrist just before impact. This risks sacrificing some accuracy for power but it landed close enough to where I intended. The increased vigour of this stroke brought the required reaction from Rachael. She cried out and although she maintained position she reached out to rub her bottom.

There was a short delay. I have no problem with a student taking time out between strokes to recover composure as long as it is not overdone. Mrs H seemed to have no objection. My view is that a caning should not be rushed and if taking time out helps the student to get through the ordeal that is OK with me. It satisfied me that Rachael was now quietly and continuously sobbing.

The fourth and fifth strokes were delivered very firmly but without the flick of my wrist. Rachael was breathing heavily and was undoubtedly suffering. I was keen to make the last stroke cause her the most discomfort. I used the hooks connecting the suspender belt to her stockings as a guide to where I wanted to place the final stroke. The previous five strokes had landed on her knickers and this stroke would land on bare flesh. I took careful aim and generated a lot of energy to land a very effective stroke just below her bottom and across the top of her thighs. Exceedingly painful. She leapt to her feet with a scream, clutching the wounded area.

We left her for five minutes to get herself together. We moved next door to Mrs Hunter’s secretary’s office. Mrs H was pleased with my performance and, over a welcome cup of tea and biscuits, she said some complementary things. I didn’t mention the subject but I think she might recommend me for the position of Deputy Headmistress. I believe I have taken responsibility when required since joining the school and have acquitted myself well and my prowess with the cane will have helped my cause. We’ll have to see but I’m hopeful.

I asked her what is happening to Rachael.

“She’s suspended and confined to her dormitory until her parents arrive from Scotland on Wednesday. They will be invited to explain why she shouldn’t be expelled. I will probably not expel her if they give a good account of themselves and pay for the damage, which of course they can afford, and if Rachael convinces me she is truly repentant. I will ask you to give her another good caning in front of her parents and then draw a veil over the whole unfortunate affair.”

I think this will be a good outcome for me. Rachael has taken me by surprise with her fervent views and I respect her, but she should not have acted in this way against her school. I will happily give her another caning, even increase its severity, if this is an alternative to her being expelled.

We finished our tea and biscuits before returning to Rachael. It was obvious she was suffering. Her skirt was lifted and her hands were inside her knickers, gently rubbing her bottom. She immediately adjusted her clothes and stood to attention. Her eyes were red and her cheeks tear-stained and her normally immaculate appearance was somewhat dishevelled. I confirmed to myself I had dealt with her firmly and competently.

“How do you feel now, young lady?” asked Mrs H, not showing any sympathy.

“Miserable Miss,” she replied, unable to resist continuing to gently rub her behind in our presence.

“Good. Visit Matron and she will attend to any aftercare she thinks you may need and then back to your dormitory to continue solitary confinement until I come to see you later with further instructions.”

A tough day for me but it went well. Not so well for Rachael who faces an uncertain future.

The End

© Robert Roberts 2025