I knew from just the first line that this was English schooling experience. My dad is, unfortunately, left handed and went through a very similar experience. He

I knew from just the first line that this was English schooling experience. My dad is, unfortunately, left handed and went through a very similar experience. He got caned so much. Thankfully by the time I went to school everything was completely different. No fountain pens at all, very patient teachers, no caning. Complete reversal from the experience of school in my dad's time (he was born in '59), which honestly sounds more like prison than anything. He left with no O-levels too. This was back when if you were struggling the teachers just decided to abandon you.