Depending on the situation, the number of us present, whether it was the headmaster or one of the senior masters affected the routine. It could also be affected by the mood of the master.
With the Headmaster we had to wait in the foyer outside the secretarial office adjacent to his office until he was ready to see us. We would then be marched in, interrogated then sent back to class if guilt had not been established until such time as he had gathered the evidence he needed. If guilt was not in question, there would be a long lecture then all but one (if there were more than one there) would be sent out.
Those sent out had to line up facing the wall, in silence, sometimes with hands on head. I once got an extra stroke when I was reported by one of the secretaries for talking while waiting outside.