Meetings of various sorts were necessary. The Headmaster met Heads of Departments frequently, particularly to discuss the option system for each year. Departmental meetings were also arranged frequently, depending on circumstances, both in and out of school time. Full Staff meetings were held at the beginning and end of the school year, and during the year as necessary. In December 1975, the system of organising and holding the summer examinations was reviewed. In 1976, there were meetings on matters of discipline. It is fair comment to record that problems of discipline were increasing, in large part due to the raising of the school leaving age, and the consequent presence in school of a very small number of resentful boys and girls whose co-operation and attitude left much to be desired. This was a problem at both local and national level. The school found itself working harder to deal with problems. There was more litter about; limited playground space and vigorous play activities made supervision more difficult, and entry into school and corridor discipline was at times less orderly. Staff had to give more attention to these matters whilst maintaining high standards of co-operation and understanding between teacher and scholar. It must be emphasised that, on the whole, classroom discipline continued to be very good and always groups going out of school maintained that very high standard of behaviour which had always been a feature.

Teachers used various methods of punishment -extra written work, private detention after school and reference to Year Tutors, Senior Mistress or the Head of Upper or Lower School. In 1976, it was decided to institute a Headmaster's Report Book, where very bad behaviour cases were recorded, strong action taken, and parents brought in. About this time, consideration was given to the drawing up of a list of basic school rules, notified to all, including parents. Previously, a more general statement of school practices and requirements had been sent to parents of new entrants prior to joining. An "ad hoc" committee was set up to deal with this matter, and they had several profitable meetings before putting their conclusions to a full staff meeting. Eventually, the problem was in some way covered when a brochure about the school and its facilities was produced.

Corporal punishment had always been used in school, although as far as school records are concerned, was never officially administered to girls. Certainly, from 1952, under Mr. Woodhead and later his successor, this was so. From 1952, corporal punishment was administered in accordance with the M.E.C. Regulations, only by the Headmaster and his deputy. From 1967, this authority was given to the Heads of the Upper and Lower Schools and the Year Tutors, still to be administered to boys only. Amid discussions at various levels about its usefulness, there was some decline in the frequency of its application, and much consideration of alternatives. Extreme cases of bad behaviour led to exclusion from school, and the Authority became involved. Often "Case Conferences" were called, initiated by Welfare and/or Child Guidance Services, and the Authority began to experiment with special centres for difficult cases. In September 1973, under an experimental R.O.S.L.A. scheme, the school sent 3 boys and 3 girls to the Ghyli Head Centre (Outdoor Pursuits), joining others from Manchester schools, for a week's course for "difficult" pupils from the 5th year. Parents contributed £10.50 towards the cost. This extension of work with supportive services included cases where there were learning difficulties, but for which special school places were not recommended or available.

Reference to these problems is not to indicate a lack of general school progress, but rather to draw attention fairly to some trends and difficulties being faced by most schools at this time. A clear indication of the amount of progress being made by the school was given following a General Inspection by H.M. Inspectors in November 1976. In September of that year, Miss V. Evans, Senior District H.M.I. and her colleague Mr. Denegri called to discuss with the Headmaster a proposed date for an inspection. Miss V. Evans spent two mornings in school obtaining, amongst other details, a curriculum analysis. The Headmaster went over the inspection procedure at a staff meeting early in November, and Miss Park, H.M.I. Inspector for Girls P.E. and Dance carried out her inspection on November 11th. The rest of the inspection began on Monday, 15th November and continued to midday on the following Friday. The inspectors -Miss Evans (Mathematics and Science), Mr. Smart (English and French), Mr. Neal (History, Geography, Social Studies and R.l.), Mr. Burford (Art and Boy's Craft) and Miss Whitworth (Girls' Craft) -used the Headmaster's room in "H" Building as their base, and visited classes and saw teachers as their plans required. Virtually all staff were seen, and some time was spent on looking at out-of-school activities. The environment of the school was also considered. The inspectors spent a good deal of time talking to Heads of Departments and considered the large number of facts about the school supplied by the Headmaster.

At the end of the week, Miss Evans and one of her colleagues spent most of Friday morning with the Headmaster, outlining and discussing many points which would form the basis of a report. The Headmaster made notes and summarised many points in a memorandum which he put out to the staff at a meeting on 8th December. The Inspectors had observed on the lack of evidence of vandalism in the buildings and praised the work of the caretakers, but were very critical of the 3 building situation, with a main road dividing the schools. They remarked how these difficulties were a severe handicap. They praised the cheerfulness and courtesy of the children and regarded the standard of behaviour and conduct as good. They were also appreciative of the co-operative way in which they had been received. In his memorandum, the Headmaster also pointed out that he would see Heads of Departments individually and go over the observations made by the Inspectors about the work of the Department. In fact, this exercise was carried out over the next few weeks, and matters raised were discussed at Departmental meetings.

At the beginning of the inspection, Miss Evans indicated that, bearing in mind the fact that the school had not been inspected since 1955, this inspection was part of a survey of Secondary Schools, including some in Manchester, after several years of comprehensive development. It was not known whether a written report would be published. A verbal report would, however, be made to the Governors, i.e. the Secondary Education Sub-Committee. This report was given by Miss Evans on 11th February, 1977 to that Committee, members of the Authority's Inspectorate and the Headmaster.

In addition to the points already mentioned, Miss Evans reported at length on other matters. Since no written report followed, the observations recorded here are set down as simply and accurately as possible. Predictably, there was criticism of the building situation; absentee problems were regarded as being the same as in other inner city areas. Reference was made to the difficulty of maintaining liaison with 50 contributory Junior Schools. The low standard of attainment of the majority of pupils on entry to the school was noted, and, bearing this fact in mind, the overall examination results were considered quite satisfactory. The comparatively small 6th Form was, in its way, considered to be fulfilling a need and doing as well as it could. It would be inappropriate here to refer to observations on individual subjects, although it should be mentioned that there was high praise for much of the work in Science. The fact that many "A" level candidates in those subjects and in Mathematics were girls was also commended.

Two recommendations were made. It was suggested that Careers Advisory Work by the school did not begin early enough, in that more should be done at the beginning of the 3rd year, with a more informative booklet available to pupils and parents giving details of options and opportunities. AIso, in acknowledging the difficulties in making a unity of a school in three buildings, consideration should be given to establishing the most effective management structure. Both these points were considered in the following weeks and months, and, in fact, a suitable booklet was produced. Without doubt, the whole inspection was regarded by both Headmaster and Staff as being a very encouraging and stimulating one.

The Authority's Inspectors and their newly appointed curriculum advisers were exceedingly helpful, in particular Mr. Rigby, the District Inspector, who was a regular visitor. In February 1977, Mr. W. Short took over from him, who in turn, was followed by Mr. Brackenbury and then Mr. Collinson. Councillor Sally Shaw, Chairman of the Education Committee visited in March 1975. The Rector of St. Thomas's Ardwick was an occasional visitor, and in May 1977, by special request, 30 pupils from the top class of a Primary School, together with their teacher looked round the Lower School building-a type of visit which could not be repeated for the other 40 or so contributory Primary Schools. The Education Committee had put into practice a scheme whereby members of the Committee were allocated to particular schools as visitors, and from time to time from 1977 these visits took place. Teaching practice facilities were accorded to students from several Training Colleges and Departments, and in December 1973,10 students came to see and discuss with staff the teaching of Office Practice. Teaching practice systems varied from college to college, and Didsbury College tried an experimental scheme which gave the trainees more involvement in several aspects of school life.