Peterborough was distinctive, the school had since its opening in 1901 always housed both girls and boys, but for reasons unknown after the age of 8, sexes were segregated, the boys housing the top floor, girls, middle, and infants ground, up until 1969. People who knew/attended the school always made the distinction between the “big boys or girls” and infants, the term whole school incorporated all departments and classes.
The time of Whitbread leaving, pupil numbers were around 284 boys 273 girls. If the punishment was only metered out to boys, the numbers are still substantial, for what amounted to playground fun.