Being punished in the head office meant that there were usually several pieces of furniture over which the miscreant could bend.
Taller pupils might bend over the desk, with their arms stretched out and hands grasping the other side. Smaller children could bend over the same desk, but resting on their elbows. If the girlÂ’s skirt was to be lifted, the arms stretched out position was ideal. The skirt could be laid across her back with no danger of it getting in the way during the punishment.
There was usually an armchair in the office of the head. Tall pupils could bend over the back of this, their hands resting on the arms of the chair. Others could bend over the nearside arm, holding on to the far side, as in the caning scenes in The Happy Valley.