Suspension in boarding schools

[Brian]

replying to
Personally, I think it's a better idea than normal suspension, which 
does get the student out of the teacher's hair for a few days but 
inconveniences the parents and does nothing to deter the student from 
being suspended again. he may even consider it a reward.

Carol, you're missing the significance of a (normal) suspension in a 
British boarding school.  Being sent home isn't likely to be for a few 
days, and is likely to be a final warning before explusion, basically 
giving parents a chance to make it clear to their son or daughter the 
seriousness of their situation.

Another, more common punishment, might be gating or loss of privileges.  
Gating (not all schools use the same name for this) means you re not 
allowed out of school grounds for any reason - no popping out to the 
sweet shop or meeting local girls - no days or trips out .  In my school 
this was enforced by the fact that your clothes were taken away and you 
had to spend the whole time in pyjamas.  This was also to prevent the 
person doing a bunk (i.e. running away home.)
Needless to say, some of us organised ways to get around this.  Our 
school had as one of its clubs, an "education committee" of which I was 
chairman.  We used school funds to buy (among other things) maps, 
railway timetables etc., and we also collected quite a stock of second 
hand clothing.

Loss of privileges meant no taking part in any non curricular 
activities, no using the school pool, no TV, early bedtimes., etc., no 
access to any sweets that might have been sent to you or your pocket 
money.  It would usually include chores as well.

Brian