My experiences go back to the mid 1960s and, like a lot of girls, I was well aware of corporal punishment, but did my best to avoid it in any form.
I went to a girls school that was fairly strict, but later we moved and I went to a girls only boarding school. When my parents and I went for a first visit we got the impression it was quite strict but it was on my first day there that I discovered just how strict it was. The Headmistress summoned me to her study after evening prep and talked to me about the school and its traditions as I stood on the carpet in front of her desk. She inspected my uniform and confirmed that she was content with my appearance.