The head worked on the principal 3/4 hard strokes of the cane and grounding more effective than six of the best, freedom being all important to teenagers, especially boarders. Pupils were in a no-win situation from the off and in most cases it proved an effective deterrent.
We had lessons on Saturday morning, so if any detentions were held in the afternoon, I would readily have taken a few more strokes than have to give up my Saturday afternoon leisure or be confined to school. There was no American way, pupils opting for swots over detention, no manipulation for a quick fix preferred choice.