When corporal punishment is available, it doesn’t have to be used when it’s the wrong thing for a particular child. I certainly agree that it is critical that you make sure that you have procedures in place to make sure that is so – and I’ll even go so far as to say that if you can’t put those procedures in place, a ban is the lesser of two evils – sometimes you have no choice by to prioritise some children over others – but that should be the last resort. You always try to find the solution that allows you to help all kids first.
I know somebody who has written quite extensively on this subject in other forums I read. I’m going to ask him for his permission to forward some of his messages here. He’s somebody who was the victim of severe bullying who believes corporal punishment quite literarally saved his life. I’m going to see if he’ll give his permission for me to post his material here. He won’t post himself – I’ve asked him. But I think he might allow this.