The Catford records reveal another fascinating pattern.
Younger pupils generally received fewer strokes.
Among 11-year-olds, a single stroke was the most common punishment.
As pupils grew older, punishments tended to become more severe.
By the age of 16, receiving two or more strokes was overwhelmingly the norm among those recorded.
Serious offences were also treated differently according to age.
Truancy, for example, could result in the maximum recorded punishment for older boys, while younger boys might receive something less severe for a similar offence.
There was therefore more method to the system than might initially appear.
The punishment depended not merely upon what the boy had done but also upon his age and, apparently, whether he had been in trouble before.
A first offender might receive comparatively lenient treatment.
A familiar visitor could expect something more severe.
