The organization required to get all the pupils lined up and processed at the appropriate time whilst ensuring that none escaped and fled from retribution would surely have consumed all the staff resources of the school. In addition, the physical demands on the Headmaster would be considerable. Whilst afterwards, his pupils might suffer from soreness in whatever portion of their anatomy was caned the Head himself would probably have sustained major RSI damage to his caning arm
As regards famous alumni, It’s alright for you Steve. Dr Beeching, no problem.