This guidance document provides information and recommendations for school leaders on prohibiting the use of mobile phones throughout the school day. It emphasises the need to create a calm and distraction-free environment for students to learn and thrive. The document highlights the risks and challenges associated with mobile phone use in schools, such as distraction, disruption, cyberbullying, and mental health concerns. It suggests various approaches for developing and implementing a mobile phone policy, including options like not allowing mobile phones on school premises, collecting phones upon arrival, keeping phones in secure locations, or strictly prohibiting their use. The document also emphasises the importance of effectively communicating the policy to students and parents, the role of staff in enforcing the policy, the role of students in understanding and supporting the policy, and the role of parents in reinforcing the policy at home. It provides guidance on the use of sanctions, searching pupils, making adaptations and reasonable adjustments for specific cases, and managing mobile phone use outside the school day.
Key Actions for School Leaders:
Develop and implement a mobile phone policy that aligns with the school's behaviour policy and legal duties, ensuring a calm and safe environment for all students and staff.
- Consider different approaches for prohibiting mobile phone use, such as not allowing phones on school premises, collecting phones upon arrival, keeping phones in secure locations, or strictly prohibiting their use.
- Communicate the policy clearly to all staff, students, and parents, making expectations transparent and ensuring everyone understands the consequences and sanctions for not following the policy.
- Enforce the policy consistently and visibly, empowering staff to challenge students and maintain a mobile phone-free environment throughout the school day.
- Educate students about the risks associated with mobile phone use and the benefits of a distraction-free environment, fostering intrinsic motivation to support the school culture.
- Encourage parents to reinforce and discuss the policy at home, emphasising the risks of mobile phone use and the benefits of a mobile phone-free environment.
- Use appropriate sanctions, such as confiscation and detentions, for students who breach the mobile phone policy, considering proportionality and special circumstances.
- Consider the need for adaptations and reasonable adjustments for specific cases, such as disabled students or those with medical conditions, ensuring compliance with legal duties and supporting individual needs.
- Determine how to manage mobile phone use on school trips or outside the normal school day, considering the impact on educational experiences and consulting with parents to develop appropriate policies.
- Remain vigilant to online safety risks and ensure that online safety is reflected in all appropriate school policies, allowing students to access their mobile phones when raising concerns about online issues.
Here is the full document:
