MOBILE PHONE & DEVICE AGREEMENT

 

At Ancaster Church of England Primary School, we recognise that mobile phones and devices are part of everyday life for many children and young people. They can be a valuable and important resource.

Children learn about the use of mobile technology during online safety lessons and as part of our PSHE curriculum. It is important that children develop sensible habits surrounding their use and also learn about inappropriate use and the impact this can have.

Mobile Phones

 Children should not bring a mobile phone into school, unless this is absolutely necessary – for example, where a child travels to and from school unaccompanied in Year 6.

The school strongly suggest children do not bring smart phones. Alternatives are available at low cost and examples can be found here: https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/alternatives

It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to decide:

• Whether the child is responsible enough to look after their phone and use it appropriately.
• Whether the child understands the safety risks involved.

 

The following rules apply where a child needs to bring their mobile phone to school:
• Phones must not be used anywhere on the school premises. They must be switched off before a pupil enters the school gates and not switched on until leaving the school gates at the end of the day.
• Phones must be handed in to the teacher first thing in the morning. Phones will be stored in a locked drawer in the classroom or a suitable locked box.
• Under no circumstances will there be access to phones during the school day or for phones to be left in pupils’ bags or pockets.
• All phones are brought to school at the owner’s own risk. School accept no responsibility for any loss or damage whilst on school premises.
• Pupils are not allowed to take mobile phones on school trips or residential visits.
• Where a child is attending an after-school activity, mobile phones must remain turned off and kept in the student’s bag.

Where these rules are not followed, the following sanctions will be applied:

On the first infringement, the mobile phone will be confiscated and kept secure in the school office. The student will be able to collect the mobile phone at the end of the school day. A record will be made of the incident and parents/carers will be made aware.

On the second infringement the mobile phone will be confiscated and kept secure in the school office. A record will be made of the incident, parents/carers will be notified and asked to collect the phone.

If there is a third infringement, or in the event of a serious breach of the rules, school may withdraw the agreement to allow the student to bring a mobile telephone to school.

Inappropriate Use of Mobile Phones and the Internet

If we are made aware that a mobile phone or device is being used inappropriately, incidents will be dealt with in line with other relevant policies (eg: Behaviour, Anti-Bullying, E-Safety, Safeguarding Policy) and parents/carers will be notified.

Examples of inappropriate use:
• Taking/using photos or videos of staff, pupils or members of the school community without consent.
• Using mobile technology (E.G. the use of messaging apps) to share inappropriate content, cause upset, threaten or intimidate.

If a child has a smart phone which they are using at home this would also include:
• Accessing inappropriate content online

• Using social media to share inappropriate content, cause upset, threaten, intimidate

Depending on the nature of the incident, the school may need to inform external agencies, including safeguarding referrals or the Police.

Other mobile devices including wearable technology and smart watches

Children are not permitted to wear any form of smart device (FitBit/Apple watch) during school hours. If a child wears such a device to school, teachers will collect the device, keep it safe until the end of the day and return it to the child to take home. If a device is worn repeatedly, the child’s parents/carers will be asked to collect the device.