I think it is useful to distinguish between non-private and public canings. The former are carried out regardless of who might see while for the latter are deliberately carried out in front of an audience, assembled specifically for the purpose or otherwise. Both practices are safer than canings carried out in private without an independent  reputable witness.

 

This occasion was a punishment that I witnessed. It was a games lesson and us boys were getting changed for football. As usual there were the same pupils handing their notes to the games master from their mums as to why they could.nt do games . On this occasion there were around 5 boys handing in notes. Our changing rooms were situated in a downstairs room on the outside of the school.