Routine soon had us in its grip, and the weeks and months and years rolled by, time for us measured by how many weeks until the end of term.

UK: Jeffs, Miss Audrey Margaret, schoolteacher aged 23, caned entire class of 9-year-olds at one go, 1954 (poor quality photocopy) I was sleeping in what was called ‘Top Dorm’ by now, so I had a long way to go. I didn’t make a sound as I flew down the stone stairs, two steps at a time, with my heart in my mouth. I ran through the common room, across the play room and outside to the path beside the ‘little dorm’ where I had slept as a new girl. The path to the wooden gate which opened onto the road, led very close to the Head Mistress’s apartment. In fact, I could see through the big French doors in her living room as I crept by. As soon as I had the gate open I dashed across the road to the letter box, and my card was on its way. After a similar interval there was the sound of another stroke. This time there was no doubt about it. The impact was followed swiftly by a sharp cry of pain. I wondered how many strokes Lindsey was going to get. Malaysia: secondary student receiving the cane in school office while another awaits his turn, 2003 (might be posed, but quite possibly real) (for the real thing captured on film, see video clips) South Korea: senior student adopts the classic Korean position for receiving the cane across seat of trousers, outdoor viewUnited States, large school paddle with holes, bears some of its recipients' signatures, date and place unknown USA: McConnell, Scott, 26, expelled from college for writing essay advocating corporal punishment, 2005; was himself paddled at school in Oklahoma USA: Anderson, Ted, basketball coach removed from post for paddling players in 2004, Tennessee, seen in 2008

Wanting It: Breeanne had managed to attend Claremont Academy for three years without facing discipline, but when she pushes another girl into the trophy cabinet during an argument she finds herself due to be caned for the first time.United Kingdom: artist's impression of informal flogging of a sailor with the rope's end on board ship, 19th century Gaspersohn, Shelly, senior student paddled at US high school in 1981, shown at age 20 giving evidence with her mother to Senate hearing in 1984 We heard the sound of the assembly breaking up and fell silent. As the classes trooped by at the end of the corridor, several pupils glanced towards us as we stood unhappily outside the office. I knew that they would be imagining what would soon be happening to us. Singapore: errant teen boys being made to do pushups at strict reform camp where they are also shown video of prison caning, 2002

USA: Torbert, Mrs Ann, mother of Tamara May Torbert (q.v.), shown with belt she used to punish daughter in school principal's office, 1977 Volpeliere-Pierrot, Ben, pop star pictured aged 22 in 1987, slippered at UK state boarding school c. 1980 After temps and pulses were taken we were told to put on our dressing gowns and slippers, line up by the door and follow the prefect. This we did, wondering what was to be our next experience. Bahamas: Deveux, Kenneth, teacher who allegedly gave 12-year-old schoolboy 70 strokes of the cane, 1999 Canada, big paddle said to be in daily use at St John's School, tough boarding school for boys in Alberta, 2002Germany: boy, 11, pretends to be caned as photo stunt for ceremony of putting school cane in museum, Munich, 1970 My mother told me years afterwards that I hardly spoke one word on the train between Norwich and London. I just sat very quietly, but always managed a smile when she looked at me, because I knew that she was not any happier than I.

Hillman, Mark, Colorado State Senator, recalls with approval "board of education" being applied to his "seat of knowledge" Singapore: secondary school boy being caned on stage in front of whole school, c.2005 (also video clip) All weekend I was worried about what was going to happen and on Monday morning I was more careful than usual to make sure that I was wearing the correct school uniform. USA: Cunningham, David W., Oklahoma social worker, accused of paddling youngsters in his care, 2015 UK: Wildman, Eric, campaigner for corporal punishment and retailer of canes, shown displaying his wares, 1947Washington, Frederic, now 23 in 2012, was paddled on at least 30 occasions at Caddo Parish Schools in Louisiana up to 2007 Austrian Empire: Frieze on a building in Prague showing young Czech soldier being caned by Austrian officer, c.1900 The three of us always stopped outside the school gates, put our cases down and straightened our hats and ties etc. we knew if would not go unnoticed if we showed up in any state of disarray. After a last look behind us down the road and a long look at each other, we took a deep breath and walked through the gates. Keith going alone down his driveway to the ‘boys’ and Molly and I down ours together.