"There was one advantage, and only one that I know of, in Mr. Creakle's severity. He found my placard in his way when he came up or down behind the form on which I sat, and wanted to make a cut at me in passing; for this reason it was soon taken off, and I saw it no more. "

I should be grateful if one of our UK members would tell me what "form" means in this context. Does it perhaps refer to a bench or row of seats? I remember having seen "second form" or "third form" apparently reflecting students grouped by the number of years they have been enrolled.