My high school was a reasonably posh private school, very strict. Our PE teacher was straight out of a St Trinian's type movie - hard as nails and built like a Sherman tank. She did not believe in 'ladies' playing sports - drill was the thing. She would have us marching around the perimeter of the tennis courts for hours on end. Around the courts were seats just like this. Any rule infringements (talking, head moving, etc) were summarily punished by the culprit having to kneel close to and facing one of these benches. Her head would then be forced under the bench and she would have to remain there for the rest of the lesson with her head touching the ground at the rear. This would arch the spine so that the slats of the seat dug into her back. After a couple of minutes the pain would be excruciating.
Thanks for bringing back that happy memory!
