This is what I believe I and my girl colleagues suffered from, although in its general form the basic idea was not wrong.

(Which is why I can accept the discipline I received as a schoolgirl.)

When we look at cases such as the Northwich (Leftwich Green) High School situation in the mid-seventies, what many people do not know is that Janet Dines (Headmistress) resigned fairly soon after the case relating to the use of the cane had been dismissed on principle.

This was not related to the use of CP, but she simply refused to accept that her all-girls high-academic-performance Grammar School should become a state-run mixed comprehensive school.

The personal issue was that she would not be the Headteacher, as the male head of the combined boy’s school would take over. Dreadful but true!!