A teacher speaks out about their experiences at Willenhall school

[STEVIEBOY1]

Cant say the school i went to was very good.In those days (late 70s/early 80s) they had the cane,which they used at any opportunity,girls as well.I got it about 8 times and thats less than a lot.You could get caned for bunking off,bad behaviour,bullying(which i do agree with the cane being used),or just plain not doing your homework,which i often didnt.

We had the cane too, for similar serious and not so serious offences, waiting outside the office was worse than what happened when you were called in. We also had long detentions 2 -3 hours or sometimes on Saturday mornings and impositions of large quantities of lines which I hated having to do.

 

[richw]

It must be a thing with geography teachers, ours too, was an expert with a piece of chalk and board rubber! No doubt not allowed to do that now.

They don't have chalk boards or even white boards these days. All computerised screens so no rubbers to throw

 

[D365]

All computerised screens so no rubbers to throw

There's the plastic pens on some models...

 

[SS4]

It's easy to point out the problems but what's the solution? I don't think physical intimidation is the answer which rules out the cane and other physical punishments.

Pupil behaviour, to me at least, is a symptom of wider societal issues - both parents need to work - and often full time or close to it - to provide an acceptable standard of living and of course this affects the attention they can pay to the kids including focussing on their education or helping them learn the things taught outside of school. The quality of jobs doesn't help either.

For all those saying behaviour was better in the 60s ask yourselves how much your parents worked.