At my first school, everybody knew that the Headmaster (he was the only male member of staff and taught the oldest children) could give you the strap if you were naughty. I was sent to him for misbehaving only once. I was only six and I was absolutely terrified I was going to get the strap. I knocked on his classroom door, and he told me to wait outside and then came out with his strap. He showed it to me and told me that if I was sent to him again I’d get it. I was so relieved I started crying and he gave me a lolly. I was an angel after that – I did not want to get sent back.
