Mobile Phones at Balfron High School

Why there should be no mobile phones in classrooms

Mobile phones are part of every day life for all of us and can be helpful tools for learning in certain contexts.  We were guided by the research to inform our decision-making about mobile phones and their impact on school settings.  We agreed that they should not be out in the classroom.

This is what we found from research:

• It is easier to maintain attention when there are fewer stimuli.  

• The presence of a mobile phone led to a 20% reduction in attention, concentration and performance in tasks that were demanding and complex (required some hard thinking)

• Students performed worse in these tasks, regardless of whether their or someone else's phone was nearby 

• The reduction of performance was found to be true regardless of gender, age or the extent to which they used their own phone

Key points:

• All phones should be switched off or on silent so that notifications, calls or messages do not interrupt learning.

• We ask S1-3 to put their phones in the designated phone box during lessons.

• All S4-6 should put their phones away during lessons.

• Headphones are not permitted in classes

Any pupil who has their phone out or whose phone interrupts a lesson will have the phone confiscated for the remainder of the day.

Using Technology for Learning

At Balfron High School, every pupil is provided with a Chromebook.   Pupils gain access to the internet in the building.   There should be no need for a mobile phone for learning.