According to the register the day before school, nine pupils were due to attend. It seems there had been confusion in that both Simon and Simeon had booked but they had been considered one and the same person. An easy mistake to make with such similar names and indeed with both of them being swotty. Their appearance of course differs especially as Simeon has trained his pet caterpillar to perch on his upper lip. However one pupil was unable to attend and so it was only eight in class. I raise this point not as a criticism of the school's administrative staff, the Chairman of the Governors, or indeed our Headmistress, but purely as has relevance later in the day.

When the first bell rang eight pupils lined up awaiting the second bell. I led them into class and took a seat at a desk in the window area with Simeon to my right. Tranta was front left, his usual desk, with Sarah-Jane behind him. Immediately in front of Miss Prim's desk were two new pupils, Georgina and Arthur. Behind them were Roddy and Simon.

Uniform inspection saw Tranta present himself wearing the gardener's flat cap rather than his own school cap. "It's a cap" and "I didn't realise I'd picked up the wrong one" were hardly good reasons to be wearing it. A new black plimsoll with orange coloured sole lay on the shelf of Miss Prim's desk and it was this that was used instead of the leather paddled. Ma'am made comments about it leaving "tread marks" on clothes, but not as good as those left on bared bottoms.

Sarah-Jane was wearing a Girl Guide pin badge for which she had not sought permission but was allowed to keep it on once she had been punished.

I too was wearing a badge but Ma'am pointed out to the others that I was entitled to wear it as it had the words Head Girl on it. My shoes were naturally of a suitable style and even my checked hair band was in school colours of black and red.

Simeon looked very smart until Miss Prim observed his shoes.

"What's polish, Simeon?"

"What they speak in Poland, Ma'am"

The speed of response caused even Miss Prim to look away and chuckle. The rest of the class struggled to stifle laughter.

"Black shoe polish, Simeon. Have you run out?"

"No Ma'am, I'm still here".

Though not for long as he was soon bent over the stool.

Roddy looked as if he were going to pass inspection without faults but the two badges on the rear of his cap intrigued Tranta who half stood to get a better look, thereby attracting Miss Prim to them. They looked like prefect or monitor badges, one green and one red. It made Roddy look a bit like a ship with port and starboard signal lights.

Simon, like Simeon, failed through having dirty shoes. (No wonder it is easy to become confused with them).

Georgina had seen five of the pupils punished for uniform faults but I think felt that she had nothing to worry about. Miss Prim however thought her hair untidy and after being punished she was told to seek Sarah-Jane's help at break to "do something about it".

Arthur was as short standing as sitting at his desk. A diminutive Howard Moon. Actually that is possibly a little harsh - untidy rather than scruffy. To cap it all, was just that - his cap. At least one if not 3 or 4 sizes too small it perched on his head with the front of the peak barely reaching his forehead

"Are you trying for the position of class clown Ashton?"

"Actually it's Ashby, Ma'am".

So proud to receive his new cap, Arthur had put his name in it before trying it on. No way it could be returned to the school outfitters and so Miss Prim would just have to tug on it to make it fit. She succeeded and such a tight fit it was it didn't fall off as he bent over the stool.

Uniform inspection over it was time for the first General Knowledge test. I'm pleased to say that my good example and suggestions that pupils should act more responsibly had not gone unnoticed. One responsible pupil reminded Miss Prim that we had not sung the school hymn. Something Miss Prim felt the Head Girl should have reminded her of and so awarded me a demerit. I can't be sure but I think it may have been Tranta who volunteered, "Isn't it double for the Head Girl?". So I now had two demerits and I hadn't even opened my mouth. I was aware, as Head girl, that on the rare occasions I may be punished I would receive double, but this was a new rule that I got demerits in pairs from Ma'am.

It was a hard test and I only managed 8/15 but felt better when swotty Simon only got 9/15. I think last in test may have gone to Arthur. An English grammar paper with commas, apostrophes, antonyms, malapropisms and anagrams followed. Thankfully we had a reasonable amount of time as Ma'am was reading letters from our guardians. Occasionally we heard "Tut, tut", or a more specific "Jenkins, I'll see you in defaulters". Also it was necessary for Miss Prim to instruct the maid, Andrea, about lunch. While she was out of the room, Roddy thought it fun to let off a party popper. I waited until the puff of smoke had cleared and then told Roddy to go to the front of the class. He looked as if he were about to argue but thought better of it and stood where I told him. Miss Prim naturally wanted to know why he was at the front and, my explanation given, he was duly whacked. Despite its complexity I managed 39 and a half out of 45.

Matron was due to arrive at break but as she was not there by the end of break we returned to the classroom for another General Knowledge test. This one was equally as hard as the first and in fact I only achieved 7/15, although was not last. Once again I was pleased to see how responsible the other pupils were becoming. Roddy quite correctly reminded Miss Prim that less than 50% usually get 6 of the best, and as I bent over the stool I think all the other pupils reminded her the Head Girl gets double.

Matron had arrived and took the next lesson all about Telegraphy. Lots of dictation but also some pictures to cut out and stick into our books. A number of pupils forgot it was not Miss Prim teaching and referred to Matron as Ma'am. Naturally Matron allowed this the first two or three times but then announced the next pupil to forget would get six, and they did.

Miss Prim then took a biology lesson on the digestive system which we studied with the aid of a diagram from oesophagus to anus. Just the thing to study before shepherds pie for lunch. Behaviour in class, after the incident with the party popper had been very good although Sarah-Jane couldn't resist eating some Smarties, but was caught by Miss Prim.

After lunch we had a further lesson on the digestive system and a second lesson from Matron to complete telegraphy. Nearly everyone was eager to finish lessons, even though there was defaulters for some as there was the evening party to prepare for. Miss Prim's announcement that we had time for a test on the digestive system was not well received. Never the less, there were some respectable marks with at least one 20/20 (one of the swotty twins) and three 19 and a half. Miss Prim gave lines to those on defaulters and those not were told they were to read quietly. She was about to dismiss us when Arthur, although not wanting it, reminded her he had been last in the test and was due six of the best. How responsible the pupils were becoming.

With Matron and myself to supervise defaulters it was decided Matron would assist Miss Prim in the study while I oversaw the other pupils. I took a list of the names in registration sequence and instructed Tranta to stand outside of the study. Tranta was on double defaulters so would be first and last in line.

When Tranta was invited into the study I had Sarah-Jane stand outside and then when Tranta emerged it was Simon to stand outside. Sarah-Jane rejoined the others and so too did Simon. Matron summoned Simeon into the study and informed me I had two demerits for getting Simon and Simeon in the wrong order. When all due to be seen had been and Tranta was in the study for the second time I mentally rehearsed my explanation. "Simon - Simeon and easy mistake to make. I think others have thought Simon and Simeon to be one and the same".

Tranta came from the study and Matron followed me in. I stood in front of Miss Prim's desk.

"Four demerits Dawson".

"Yes Ma'am"

"I don't expect the Head Girl to be careless and get the sequence for defaulters wrong, and don't even think of suggesting it's an easy mistake to confuse Simon and Simeon".

As if I would. Six of the best, doubled for the Head Girl, were delivered and I duly tanked Ma'am for them.

Once certificates were presented we were instructed the kitchen was out of bounds and some went to their dorms and others to the common room with Matron. I mentioned a video, Pony Passion, I had seen to Matron but forgot myself and called her Ma'am. Yet again a responsible pupil pointed it out and Matron was obliged to take me over her knee to be spanked.

Other pupils and some staff arrived for the party. Sir Guy appeared in suit and tie, cook Michael came in and I saw Jane, Titch, Dover, Adam, Andy, a teacher from another school, Caxton, Holland and Michael. There were possibly some others arrive that I didn't get to talk to, or spank.

There was plenty of food, buffet style, and then some of us played a relay game. Moving pieces of popcorn by sucking them onto a straw. I was in Jane's team and we won. The other team all got whacked.

Musical laps, a variation on musical chairs was played. I've recorded the principles here so that pupils will be aware of the idea if ever required to take part. You will also be able to assist Miss Prim with the rules as her first interpretation seemed to be "cane as many as you can".

A number of chairs are placed in a line facing alternate ways down the centre of the room. Teachers, other adults and Head Girl sit on the chairs, with two or three chairs unoccupied. Pupils walk around the line until the music stops. When the music stops pupils go over the lap of the nearest adult, unless they can get to an unoccupied chair. Any pupil not over a lap or seated gets 6 of the best from Miss Prim. Those over the lap of an adult get spanked until Miss Prim has caned the others. Those that were spanked are out. Those that got a chair or were caned stay in and the music starts. Chairs and staff are removed each round. Winner is the last one to be on a chair while the others are all over an adult's lap.

Pass the parcel with forfeits rather than prizes between each layer was also played. Six with a paddle or recite the punishment rules, six with a strap, kiss an adult, ten with a strap or eat a satsuma in ten seconds. I got 24 hand spanks on the bare bottom.

I lay over Miss Prim's lap and my knickers were lowered to a chant of "double, double". The spanks started and I counted mentally. After about 30 Miss Prim asked if I was going to count. "If you went a bit slower I might be able to". Starting from one the spanks fell slowly but in a rhythm. I counted in time with the rhythm. Around number 24 Miss Prim paused. I didn't. Starting from one again I concentrated as I counted and this time got to 48 and a round of applause.

Gradually guests left and some pupils who were boarding went to their dorms. I reflected on how my good example was rubbing off on other pupils and how responsible they were becoming. I had in the past joined Anita in a strike to bring an end to corporal punishment. With pupils becoming more responsible the need for corporal punishment would soon disappear. There is "more than one way to skin a cat" as Miss Prim might put it.