Ban on mobile phones in schools to be launched at start of new school term
“All schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default”
A ban on mobile phones in schools comes into force in September when the new school term starts.
The Government has provided statutory guidance to individual schools and trusts on how to implement the policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime.
It states that all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default; anything other than this should be by exception only.
Schools should consider whether students in sixth form should be permitted access to their mobile phone at certain and limited times and locations, reflecting this period of education as one of increased independence and responsibility, without compromising the school’s policy on the use of mobile phones for other pupils.
This should include prohibiting the use of mobile phones by sixth-form students in front of younger pupils, for example, limiting use to a sixth-form common room. Sixth-form students should remain subject to the school’s behaviour policy and misuse of their phone should have the potential to lead to sanctions, the guidance states.
The guidance states: “The Department for Education (DfE) expects schools to implement a policy whereby pupils do not have access to their mobile phone throughout the school day including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime.
“A school’s policy on prohibiting the use of mobile phones can be included within the school’s behaviour policy or be its own standalone document. The policy should be accessible, aligned with the school’s culture, consistent and straightforward to follow. Effective implementation of the policy should ensure all pupils and parents understand and meet the expectations of behaviour relating to mobile phones.
“There are a number of ways in which schools can ensure that they are mobile phone-free, and it is for headteachers to decide how best to achieve this within their own unique contexts.”
It continues: “Some schools have chosen to use lockers to store mobile phones and other equipment, ensuring that pupils still have access to a device for safety reasons when travelling to and from school. This ensures that any potential distractions from mobile phones are removed entirely during the school day.
“To prevent pupils from attempting to circumvent this policy, one secondary school ensures that buy-in from parents is gained prior to transition from primary school, and that all families are content to accept all of the school’s policies. In return, the school ensures they are responsive to communication from home, where required, in their school office.
There are also schools who successfully facilitate pupils handing a mobile phone to staff at the start of the school day. Again, this allows all pupils to feel safe on their journey to and from school while removing digital distraction for the entirety of the school day.”
It adds: “ All staff should consistently enforce the school’s policy on the use of mobile phones.
Staff should not use their own mobile phone for personal reasons in front of pupils throughout the school day. This will empower staff to better challenge pupils to meet the school expectations and effectively enforce the prohibition of mobile phones throughout the school day.
“There may be occasions where it is appropriate for a teacher to use a mobile phone or similar device, for instance to issue homework, issue rewards and sanctions or use multi-factor authentication. Responsible bodies and school leaders should be clear with staff on their expectations around use of mobile phones during the day.”