Revised ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance issued

This revised guidance outlines the Government’s expectation that schools should be mobile phone-free zones.

On 19^th January, the Government published revised non-statutory guidance for schools in England on mobile phone use.

In its Mobile phones in schools document, the Department for Education emphasises a mobile phone-free approach for schools to enable them to create calm environments conducive to learning.

It suggests that schools align their mobile phone rules with their behaviour policies, so that students will know the consequences of using their phone in school when it is not allowed to do so.

The guidance recommends a comprehensive policy that:

“…prohibits the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones (for example the ability to send and/or receive notifications or messages via mobile phone networks or the ability to record audio and/or video) throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime.”

Additionally, from 1st April, Ofsted will discuss school mobile phone policies with school leaders and ‘determine how consistently the school’s mobile phone policy is being followed and its impact on pupils’ learning, behaviour and wellbeing’.

Exceptions

Clearly, exceptions to the policy will be required.

The guidance recommends that staff also keep their phones out of sight during the school day to model the behaviour they would like to see from students, although exceptions to this rule may be needed, for example, if multi-factor authentication is required in the classroom.

Exceptions may also be needed in boarding schools, for sixth formers and for those who require their phone for monitoring health conditions. But the guidance is clear that even some of these exceptions should have rules, for example, only allowing boarders access to phones outside of learning hours or allowing sixth formers access ‘at certain limited times and locations’ out of sight of younger students, so that they do not compromise the policy’s effectiveness.

Communication with parents

The guidance recommends that schools talk to parents about their reasons for and decisions around restricting mobile phone use at school. If people know the reasons, often, it is easier to be supportive of the school’s aims. Good communication is key, especially when the subject is tricky to navigate.

Read the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance here