• Promote a policy of disconnect to reconnect, where pupils are engaging with each other rather than smart devices, leading to increased behaviour, engagement, and wellbeing.

• Eliminate distraction from learning caused by mobile phones.

• Prevent misuse of smart devices, including bullying, filming, upskirting, and academic dishonesty.

• Create a safer school environment and reduce safeguarding risks.

• Reinforce a calm and focused school culture through consistent rules.

• Mitigate the risk of data protection issues.

In line with Department for Education guidance, the principle of disconnect to reconnect and our commitment to safeguarding and learning, pupils will no longer be permitted to use mobile phones at any point while on school premises. To support this, we are implementing secure lockable phone pouches for every pupil.

The school may permit pupils to use a mobile phone in school, due to exceptional circumstances such as to monitor a health condition such as diabetes. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To request such permission, pupils or parents/carers should contact Mrs R Seddon, Assistant Headteacher. Any pupils who are given special permission due to exceptional circumstances must then adhere to the school’s permission form allowing a pupil to bring their phone to school due to exceptional circumstances.

Mobile phones will be confiscated if seen in school. Schools are permitted to confiscate phones from pupils under sections 91 and 94 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. As aforementioned, pupils who are in breach of this policy will receive the following sanctions in line with the schools’ Behaviour Policy and ladder of consequences: