This is British play-acting, and in the UK corporal punishment (priot to it's total ban) was never permitted for exam failures. The British education authority rightly assessed that such a threat was totally counter-productive in a situation where the exams were already stressful.
I want to be spanked on my bare bottom, with a paddle, rattan whip, leather whip, wooden ruler, iron ruler, belt, comb, spoon or anything that can make my bottom hurt like hell.