Picture the scene. A clear blue sky; a warm breeze. Historic school buildings. Girls in immaculate school uniform, studying hard, whilst one of their number waits nervously outside the Headmaster’s office to be punished.

Feels like the setting for one of my stories. Actually, it’s Warwick Academy in Bermuda which provides boys and girls up to the age of 19 with: “an education of a predominantly academic character following traditional lines… The school has an excellent reputation for its high academic standards, firm discipline, fine musical tradition and its comprehensive and compulsory extra-curricular programme.”

As the school handbook explains:

Warwick Academy is committed to the belief that discipline is essential to learning and growth… We also believe that positive reinforcement is better than punitive measures, but students who do not abide by the school rules will be disciplined. It is only through firm, fair, and consistent enforcement of our rules that we will create the appropriate atmosphere in the school. This must also include the provision for dealing with students on an individual and fair basis when the need arises.

A complex list of demerits is defined, and “Corporal punishment may be given by the Headmaster or a Deputy Head of School to a student guilty of fighting, smoking or speaking obscenities or other serious misdemeanours.

Or, as it’s put more succinctly elsewhere: “Students may be strapped for failure to adhere to the school’s Rules of Conduct at the discretion of the Headmaster.”

The record book captures “the date, the pupil’s name, the name of the person administering the punishment, the purpose and number of strokes, and the name of the teacher witnessing the punishment.” Meanwhile parents “will be informed by letter from the Headmaster of the reason for the punishment and the number of strokes given”

The girls’ uniform policy is also of interest. Here’s the winter outfit:

  • REGULATION NAVY SKIRT purchased only at the English Sports Shop. Length within 2 inches of the centre of knee. Short skirts are not permitted.
  • White Shirt: Long or short sleeve. No Round Collars.
  • Knee Socks: Winter and Summer - navy.
  • School Tie: To be worn to and from school, to Assemblies, and to all classes during the school day.
  • Sleeveless Navy V-neck vest or Navy V-neck pullover. All must be in plain-knit. Zip-up hooded sweat tops, cardigans or crew neck sweat tops are not allowed.
  • Hair clips etc., must be white, navy or brown.
  • Plain DARK brown or black leather shoes. Suede, canvas or cloth shoes are NOT permitted. Shoes with extreme platforms and/or heels are not allowed. (Heels must not be more than 2 inches, measured from the crease.)
  • Navy Blazer with school crest sewn on breast pocket.
  • WINTER UNIFORM MUST BE WORN IN ITS ENTIRETY AT ALL TIMES.

In a disappointing omission, underwear seems to be unregulated.

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