To the left, a solitary door, once opened revealed a room, home of the rather large headmistress, so huge, even she looked lost, within its presence. And behind its closed door, activities and chastisement with the implements it housed, took place, to the hands and bottoms of small children on many, numerous occasions. And the room at the top of the winding staircase muffled the sounds of the lectures in raised voice, the cries and sobs of those with now very sore bottoms and hands.
A short while ago I revisited this same establishment, there in all its glory, the same daunting staircase as before, with the exception, boarded by a small gate, with health and safety warning, advising do not enter. Very appropriate and apt I thought, albeit 45 years to late.