A SCHOOL headmistress who caned several of her girls is being widely praised by parents of her pupils.

They include military men who send their sons and daughters to the exclusive Rodney School at Kirklington Hall, Nottinghamshire.

Miss Joan Thomas, head of the £5600-a-year school, had been criticised for caning six 13-year-old girls who were found in the boys’ dormitory at night.

Now, she disclosed yesterday, she is receiving letters of support from service personnel in the Army and Navy, including a vice-admiral. “They tell me to keep up the good work,” said Miss Thomas.

The girls who went to the boys’ quarters late at night knew it was forbidden.

“They had a choice of being caned or expelled and they all opted for the caning, which I carried out. Afterwards, the girls, by way of apology, bought me chocolates and a bouquet of flowers. They said I was right to cane them,” said Miss Thomas.

“Other schools are afraid of the bad publicity if they admit using corporal punishment.

“But I know of two other co-ed independent schools where they still cane girls.”

The 200 boys and girls at her school deserve and get equal punishment, she added.

Caning in state schools was banned in 1987 after a EU court ruling but is still allowed in private establishments.

Dr Rosemary Leach, of the End Physical Punishment of Children Campaign, said: “Some parents who pay for private education seem to count having their children beaten a worthwhile extra.”