Based on these reflections and analyses, and the trial conducted in December 2023, the following will be implemented from January 2024:

• Students will be allowed to have their mobile phones in school but they must be switched off at the bottom of their bags, or switched off and in their lockers. If a student is seen with their mobile phone from their arrival until boarding the bus or their own transport at the end of the school day, their phone will be confiscated. This confiscation will be in line with current policy whereby their phone will be kept by the teacher until the end of the school day and if the student cannot find their teacher at the end of the school day, the mobile phone will be stored safely overnight.

• Students who need to complete homework or coursework, will be able to go to the Library area to work at break or lunch on their laptops/iPads.

• Taking on board feedback, we will introduce more activities and equipment to use during break times in place of online gaming and phone use.

• Students' daily timetables will be printed and published around school. 

• In the case of family emergencies, changes to transport etc. parents should contact the school office and their children will be informed of any important communication.

• In order to aid teaching & learning, if a teacher deems that it would provide necessary support for an activity or task, students may use their phones under the direction of the teacher. Upon the completion of the activity or task, students must immediately switch off and  re-store their phones in their bags. 

• Although devices should not be out in social spaces during the school day, students may use their iPad or computer (not phone) purely for revision purposes before the first bell goes at 8:07 as this is outside of the library’s operating hours.

• Staff will be encouraged to follow the same expectations as students as much as possible (exceptions to this would be during school or safety emergencies).

• As always CGB is committed to supporting the needs of students and will continually review and implement support for individuals who need modifications to this policy.

We know that we can count on your support with this initiative and with reviewing our policies in order to make sure that they are as effective as possible in helping to shape all of our behaviour.

The Senior Leadership Team

*For the purposes of this policy mobile phones is the term being used but this also applies to personal iPads in Primary where school provides a device for learning.