Boys guilty of serious misdemeanors or recidivism were sent to the Beak for a swishing. The Headmaster, Mr Henry Cloak, was a huge, humorless, sour-faced man, who not only looked like a judge with his white, curly hair and black academic gown but also actually took pride in taking his time in deciding on an appropriate punishment for each boy’s “crime”. “Let the punishment fit the crime” was his motto and thus he was nicknamed the Beak. “Being up before the beak” was cockney slang for appearing before a magistrate or judge. Possibly his nickname also reflected his appearance. He had a massive, bent, beak-like proboscis and from a distance his profile was not unlike that of a vulture.
The Headmaster’s Study1
Related Articles
-
And when we got there the Cupboard was Bare15
Sorry, but I could not contemplate 15 others having their chances spoiled in an effort to accomodate one. Time-outs....
-
CP behind the Iron Curtain2
The belt is normally given for the same reasons as elsewhere: disobedience, (an increasing problem since the fall of...
-
Encounters at Boarding School in the 1960s17
Julie stood up as it would be her duty to punish me. “bend over the desk.” I duly did...
-
Mrs Wilkins 103
“Mrs Wilkins, there’s something I wanted to tell you.” “Yes, Billy, what is it?” “You know yesterday when Johnny...
-
Catholic School in New England16
I was running just a bit late because of the conversation with my mother, so I didn’t have time...
-
Witnessed School Paddling22
I think a girl getting spanked by a male teacher was very rare, if allowed at all, in British...
-
Caning from of the Times29
Allen was 11 years of age, He had been in since February 11. He was said to be suffering...
-
Slippered at School20
1. The Implement itself Mostly, “The Slipper” in school tended to be a well-worn white plimsoll, anywhere between Size...