Mobile Phone Use
We are proud to be a mobile phone free school for our pupils. This includes smart watches.
We recognise that there will be reasons that children have a mobile phone on them, especially for their journey to and from the Academy. Our expectation is that phones are switched off and kept in their bags throughout the school day, starting from the moment they enter the building in the mornings. This includes during break and lunchtimes.
Why are mobile phones not permitted in school?
- To ensure that pupils are kept safe whilst in school.
- To ensure that pupils are 100% focused on their learning and making excellent progress without any distractions.
- To stop the inappropriate use of mobile phones in school.
- To reduce the amount of time pupils spend on social media and smartphones which has been proven to have a detrimental impact.
- To promote face to face communication and social interaction between the pupils.
- To reduce instances of online bullying in school.
What happens in an emergency?
We appreciate that there may be occasions when you need to contact your child during the school day. Please do not ‘phone or text them directly, but contact the Academy's Reception and we will pass a message on or provide the space for your child to speak to you. If your child needs to contact you during the school day, they should go to the Academy's Reception, where they will be able to call you.
If your child becomes unwell during the school day, a member of school staff will call you to discuss the situation and arrange for your child to be collected or sent home if this is necessary, pupils must not contact you directly to arrange collection.
See it, Hear it, Take it
- During the Academy day (8.00am – 5pm) mobile phones are not allowed to be used in the Academy building or on the school grounds. We would, therefore, suggest that you either leave it at home, or keep it in your bag (turned off/or on silent). Earbuds linked to phoned will not be needed, they are not compatible with our IT equipment, and therefore should not be worn.
- If a mobile phone is confiscated, the phone will be taken to Reception. The pupil will be able to collect their phone at the end of the school day. If a pupil's phone is confiscated for a second time, then the pupil and their parent or carer will need to collect the phone from a member of SLT or the pastoral team at a mutually convenient time. Subsequent confiscations will result in sanctions that are more permanent and the phone being confiscated for a significantly longer period.
- If pupils need to complete independent study, they should use the available IT equipment which will be available at break time and lunchtime and after school.
- Mobile phones must not be used to contact parents/carers during the school day; any pupil using their phone at school will have their phone confiscated. If there is an emergency, pupils should speak to a member of staff at Reception to use the Academy phone, or to ask permission to use their own phone whilst at Reception.
- The Academy takes no responsibility for any damage to, or loss of, a mobile phone at any point.
- Pupils bags will be kept in supervised or locked rooms throughout the Academy day.