Did they believe their actions were a genuine and justified part of their teaching technique which better allowed them to ensure the academic success of the majority of the pupils in their care or were they just pervies abusing their authority. Certainly teachers had or seemed to have more confidence of their position back then ; Pupil power was fairly non existent and any complaint about alleged unjustified discipline was likely to result in the pupil being suspended..not the teacher as would likely happen in later years…..
Some observations which may be relevant from my attendance at Olga Street Junior school in East London in the mid 50s.