I was 17 and in the upper 6th – yes it was the full six strokes and it makes me shiver even now – my bum seems to tense up almost in anticipation.
The worst punishment I can remember was my friend Janet who received six strokes and 7 afternoon & lunchtime detentions because she had been caught petting heavily with a boy from the nearby boys grammar in the hockey pavillion. Unfortunately she missed one of the detentions and the following week received a further six strokes. Incidentally her boyfriend was caned by his head and expelled for the rest of the term – 2 or 3 weeks I think – no real equality in those days.
Younger girls up to 4th form were ‘only’ given a maximium of 3 strokes. Even this was an extremely humilitating and very painful experience.