Mobile Phones

We accept that mobile phones and devices are an integral part of modern day life. A key part of our school ethos is our aim in preparing pupils for life after school and developing their responsibilities to their wider community. In this context we expect pupils to use their phones responsibly.

This Acceptable Use Policy is designed to ensure that potential issues involving mobile phones can be clearly identified and addressed, ensuring the benefits that mobile phones provide (such as increased safety) can continue to be enjoyed by our students. Students, their parents or carers must read and understand the Acceptable Use Policy as a condition upon which permission is given to bring mobile phones to school.

It is essential that parents and pupils sign and return the Acceptable Use Policy provided by the school and the acknowledgement below. Failure to do so will result in a pupil being forbidden from bringing their phone to school.

It is the responsibility of students who bring mobile phones to school to abide by the guidelines outlined in this document and the Acceptable Use Policy.

Parents/carers should be aware that if their child brings a mobile phone to school, it is assumed household insurance will provide the required cover in the event of loss or damage. The school cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or costs incurred due to its use.

Parents/carers are reminded that in cases of emergency, the school office remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure your child is reached quickly and assisted in any relevant way. Passing on messages through school reception also reduces the likelihood of disrupting lessons inadvertently.

Unless express permission is granted, mobile phones should not be used to make calls, send SMS messages/iMessages, surf the internet, take photos or use any other application during school lessons and other educational activities, such as assemblies.

The Bluetooth function of a mobile phone must be switched off at all times and not be used to send images or files to other mobile phones.

Mobile phones must not disrupt classroom lessons with ring tones, music or beeping. They should be turned off during lesson times.

Using mobile phones to bully and threaten other students is unacceptable.

Cyber bullying will not be tolerated. In some cases it can constitute criminal behaviour. If the use of technology humiliates, embarrasses or causes offence it is unacceptable regardless of whether ‘consent’ was given.

It is forbidden for students to “gang up” on another student and use their mobile phones to take videos and pictures of acts to denigrate and humiliate that student and then send the pictures to other students or upload it to a website for public viewing. This also includes using mobile phones to photograph or film any student or member of staff without their consent. It is a criminal offence to use a mobile phone to menace, harass or offend another person and almost all calls, text messages and emails can be traced.

Mobile phones are not to be used or taken into changing rooms or toilets or used in any situation that may cause embarrassment or discomfort to their fellow students, staff or visitors to the school.

It is unacceptable to take a picture of a member of staff without their permission. In the event that this happens the student will be asked and expected to delete those images. The uploading of images of staff to social media applications such as ‘Snapchat’ is strictly forbidden.

In the event of infringement of the above rules or disruption to lessons caused by mobile phones, the responsible student(s) may face disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the Headteacher. This may include an individual pupil having their phone confiscated and their right to use a phone in school in future taken from them, either temporarily or permanently. In serious cases an exclusion might be necessary or even involvement of the police.