A SCHOOL headmistress who caned several of her girls is being widely
praised by parents of her pupils.
They include military men who send their sons and daughters to the
exclusive Rodney School at Kirklington Hall, Nottinghamshire.
Miss Joan Thomas, head of the #5600-a-year school, had been criticised
for caning six 13-year-old girls who were found in the boys' dormitory
at night.
Now, she disclosed yesterday, she is receiving letters of support from
service personnel in the Army and Navy, including a vice-admiral. ''They
tell me to keep up the good work,'' said Miss Thomas.
The girls who went to the boys' quarters late at night knew it was
forbidden.
''They had a choice of being caned or expelled and they all opted for
the caning, which I carried out. Afterwards, the girls, by way of
apology, bought me chocolates and a bouquet of flowers. They said I was
right to cane them,'' said Miss Thomas.
''Other schools are afraid of the bad publicity if they admit using
corporal punishment.
''But I know of two other co-ed independent schools where they still
cane girls.''
The 200 boys and girls at her school deserve and get equal punishment,
she added.
Caning in state schools was banned in 1987 after a EU court ruling but
is still allowed in private establishments.
Dr Rosemary Leach, of the End Physical Punishment of Children
Campaign, said: ''Some parents who pay for private education seem to
count having their children beaten a worthwhile extra.
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