We understand that pupils will have their mobile devices with them in school but they must not be seen or heard throughout the day.

Phones must be kept in a students' bag and not on their person. The school cannot accept responsibility for any mobile device brought on to the school premises and in possession of a student. If a mobile phone /smartwatch/ air pods or headphones are either seen or heard, the procedures below will be followed.

If a student refuses to hand over a mobile phone when requested by a member of staff, this will be treated as defiance and will result in a more serious sanction, such as suspension or off-site reflection.

Key Updates for Parents – Mobile Phone Policy (September 2026)

What is changing?

From September 2026, all schools in England are expected to follow new statutory government guidance on mobile phones in schools. The Department for Education (DfE) expects schools to operate as mobile phone- free environments by default, with phones prohibited throughout the day including in lessons, during social times, after school during transitions etc. We have updated our policy from September 2026 to ensure it meets these national requirements and reflects current best practice in safeguarding, behaviour and student wellbeing.

What Parents Need to Know

📵 Phones must stay out of sight all day

• Phones must be kept in students' bags from arrival to departure ("gate to gate").
• Phones should not be carried in pockets or used at any time during breaktimes, lunchtimes or between lessons.

⌚ Smartwatches are included in this policy

• Smartwatches must be stored in bags during the school day.

🔒 Additional support is available

• Students who find it difficult to meet expectations can store their phone securely in Student Services for the day.

📞 Contacting your child during the school day

• If you need to pass on an urgent message to your child, please contact the school office or your child’s pastoral leader.
• Non-urgent communications should wait until the end of the school day.
• Parents/carers should not contact students directly on their mobile phones during the school day.

🚑 Exceptions may be permitted

• Students with approved medical needs (e.g. diabetes monitoring) or other exceptional circumstances may be allowed access to a phone.
• Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Changes to Consequences

The new policy introduces a stepped approach to repeated breaches:

• 1st offence: Phone confiscated until end of day + after school reflection.
• 2nd offence: Phone confiscated until end of day + after-school reflection.
• 3rd offence: Reflection Room, parent collection of phone and parental meeting.
• 4th offence: Off-site reflection, phone retained for one week and parental meeting.
• 5th offence and beyond: Suspension, phone retained for one week and parental meeting.

Parents will be required to collect confiscated phones following repeated breaches (this will be required after the 3^rd breach and for every breach afterwards).

🚌 School Trips and Residentials

• Phones switched off and kept in bags during trips.
• Emergency use only unless staff give permission.
• No student photography.
• On residentials, phones may be collected by staff and returned for a short period each day to contact home.

Online Safety and Safeguarding

The policy strengthens the school's approach to:

• Cyberbullying.
• Unauthorised photography or recording.
• Sharing harmful or inappropriate content.
• Online behaviour that impacts members of the school community.

Why are we making this change?

The aim is to: Improve focus and learning, reduce distractions and disruption
support positive behaviour, protect students from online risks and to create a calmer and safer school environment.

We ask all parents and carers to support the policy by discussing these expectations with their child.