“PERKINS!” the bullish prefect hollered, as the 12-year-old hoofed down the corridor, trying to turn the corner before being spotted.

Not quickly enough. In trepidation, the young Perkins stopped sharpish, looking up at the sixth former, who barked: “Detention! Monday. After-school.”

It was a mean price to pay for civil disobedience but it taught me a lesson that serves me well even today.

My school had an indoor and outdoor shoe policy. At the time it was an irritation. Changing them cost you five minutes’ good football time in the playground.

But was there any purpose? The school was newish and proud of its gleaming floors... but not for long. Despite the rule, the floor shine, along with the indoor shoes, was consigned to history. Or maybe the school got cold feet.

Today, a Blandford school has introduced a similar rule whereby pupils have to wear slipp- ers or plastic bags over their shoes indoors.

You have to ask why on earth a school would lay carpets on its floors? Nice, but practical?

And would you want to wear plastic bags on your feet or slippers at work? Or shell out for extra footwear?

Having said that it is excellent training for a house-proud future. My wife introduced a similar ‘shoes off’ rule in our house a few years ago that is still very much in place.

And what was the lesson that that detention taught me all those years ago?

That you must always, always, always take off your outdoor shoes when you step indoors.

Unless your wife has gone out.