During our final year (1960) at primary school in Brighton we were taught mainly by our form teacher, Miss C.
Miss C had a reputation for strictness and was also regarded as the deputy headmistress although I’m not sure if that was her official title or just an honorary position.
She had steely grey hair that was always fastened back in a tight bun and white edges to her fingernails.
Punishments meted out by Miss C usually involved standing in the corner or at the front of the class, and only once did I see her use corporal punishment.
I believe it was just after the lunch break that we all assembled in our classroom and waited for Miss C. to appear.