Wackford Squeers - Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

An interesting item appeared in Wigan Today, School Days
the other day, the author spoke of his fearful days at school, sadly, there wasn't anywhere to
comment. He was not alone in his trepidation. School, in past years, wasn't the best part of my
life, around 1955, when I was about five years old, at Castle Hill school in Hindley, I remember
taking part of what was the morning assembly, prayers being said, and oh dear, I accidently opened my eyes, a teacher rushed across to me and slapped me hard on the face, I never forgot that.

Secondary school? Well, a complete joke of a place. Teachers there? I often think that they had been students of the Marquis de Sade. I won't mention the name of the school, suffice it to say, it's been demolished. Have things turned full circle now, pupils gaining the upper hand?

I'll second that.

Some teachers should never have been allowed anywhere near kids!

What I found most offensive was that where incidents of bullying became apparent, you could be fairly sure they would be easily manipulated by the bully, and would end up punishing the victim!

i too was at castle hill.i was born in 1948 so probably 52 53 when i started.went on to argyle street where most of the teachers gave you a slap most days. in hindsight at least you learned to keep your mouth shut and it learned you about respect which unfortunately is sadly lacking in a lot of today's children.