I used the cane and I now wonder if I was right to do so.

I was a teacher from the late 1960s until the late 1980s - a fairly short career as these things go although I was quite successful - spent my last few years as a Head Teacher.

Part of my job was to use corporal punishment. I believed then that I was doing this in the best interests of the children I taught and I'd like to continue to believe that. But I find myself in a world now where we're constantly being told this was bad for children and that worries me immensely. I just can't reconcile it with what I saw as a teacher. I saw it work. I saw it turn children around. I saw it help children. I really do think that's true. But I take psychological and pedagogical research seriously and I can't reconcile it with what I saw myself.

I am honestly horrified at the idea I might have harmed these children.

Dombaby · 61-69, M

All sorts of harm: In 1975 my form room as a pupil was next to deputy head room, and we regularly heard the cane being used. If either deputy head had approached me outside that school, they'd have got an earful. One tried to approach and talk but I stopped him. I am sure he wanted to 'rewrite history' as in retirement he was a successful author. Teachers who want caning back have no place in the profession.