rickysmiths
13-07-2012, 02:06 PM
I have just got this from my sons High School and thought some of you may be interested on that level. Also though it may give some ideas for new Policies for Sept.
Sorry it is long!
13 July 2012
Dear Parent,
Mobile Phones
I am writing to you to outline the concerns we currently have with regard to the use of mobile
phones and new procedures we will be putting in place for the use of mobile phones from
September 2012.
Up until now students have been able to bring a mobile phone to school to use only at break
times and lunch times. The sanction for disregarding this rule has been the confiscation of the
mobile phone.
We have become concerned about the increasing number of mobile phones that have been
confiscated and also the seriousness of some of these incidents that have occurred with regards
to inappropriate use of mobile phones. This year alone has seen an increase in the severity of
some off the incidents that have been dealt with and the time that has been taken to investigate
and resolve issues regarding mobile phones. In several cases the police h have been involved.
In summary our concerns are as follows:
Misuse of phone
increase of use of mobile phones at inappropriate times (in and between lessons)
increase of use of mobile phones as a cameras
more incidents involving sending photos via mobile phones to others
increase in number of inappropriate text messages sent or broadcast to others, in
school time, causing upset to others (cyberbullying)
Socialisation
using the phone, often to play games on, at break time and lunchtimes, at the expense
of socialising and communicating appropriately
Safeguarding accessing inappropriate material via the internet on a mobile phone without the
protection of the safeguarding measures that are in place for using the internet in
school.
The safeguarding issue is significant. As you are aware mobile phone technology is advancing
at a very fast pace and nearly all devices are now able to access the internet freely. The
school acts in loco parentis throughout the whole school day and currently is not confident with
regard to this particular issue.
Due to the increasing concerns we have with regard to mobile phones it has been decided that
from September 20012 mobile phones will only be all owed to be used for making phone calls or
sending texts before school starts and after the end of the school day.. This means that
mobile phones must not be used, for any purpose, at any other time. This includes break time
and lunchtime.
One exception is Sixth Formers who will be allowed to use their mobile phones for phone calls
or texting at break, lunchtimes and study periods in the Sixth Form block only and off--site
during exeats.
The sanctions for misusing mobile phones for all students, including sixth formers, will be as
follows:
First Offence
Confiscation for 24 hours – parent to collect phone from school or to provide a letter for
student to collect
Second Offence
Confiscation for 24 hours – parent to collect phone from school
Third Offence
Mobile phone banned from school, parents written to
Please note that with regard to confiscation the schools’ general power to discipline as set out in Section 91 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, enables a member of staff too confiscate and retain a student’s property as a disciplinary penalty where reasonable to do so.
I hope that you understand the concerns we have and why we have decided to put new
measures in place regarding mobile phones from September.
Thank you for your support in this matter .
Sorry it is long!
13 July 2012
Dear Parent,
Mobile Phones
I am writing to you to outline the concerns we currently have with regard to the use of mobile
phones and new procedures we will be putting in place for the use of mobile phones from
September 2012.
Up until now students have been able to bring a mobile phone to school to use only at break
times and lunch times. The sanction for disregarding this rule has been the confiscation of the
mobile phone.
We have become concerned about the increasing number of mobile phones that have been
confiscated and also the seriousness of some of these incidents that have occurred with regards
to inappropriate use of mobile phones. This year alone has seen an increase in the severity of
some off the incidents that have been dealt with and the time that has been taken to investigate
and resolve issues regarding mobile phones. In several cases the police h have been involved.
In summary our concerns are as follows:
Misuse of phone
increase of use of mobile phones at inappropriate times (in and between lessons)
increase of use of mobile phones as a cameras
more incidents involving sending photos via mobile phones to others
increase in number of inappropriate text messages sent or broadcast to others, in
school time, causing upset to others (cyberbullying)
Socialisation
using the phone, often to play games on, at break time and lunchtimes, at the expense
of socialising and communicating appropriately
Safeguarding accessing inappropriate material via the internet on a mobile phone without the
protection of the safeguarding measures that are in place for using the internet in
school.
The safeguarding issue is significant. As you are aware mobile phone technology is advancing
at a very fast pace and nearly all devices are now able to access the internet freely. The
school acts in loco parentis throughout the whole school day and currently is not confident with
regard to this particular issue.
Due to the increasing concerns we have with regard to mobile phones it has been decided that
from September 20012 mobile phones will only be all owed to be used for making phone calls or
sending texts before school starts and after the end of the school day.. This means that
mobile phones must not be used, for any purpose, at any other time. This includes break time
and lunchtime.
One exception is Sixth Formers who will be allowed to use their mobile phones for phone calls
or texting at break, lunchtimes and study periods in the Sixth Form block only and off--site
during exeats.
The sanctions for misusing mobile phones for all students, including sixth formers, will be as
follows:
First Offence
Confiscation for 24 hours – parent to collect phone from school or to provide a letter for
student to collect
Second Offence
Confiscation for 24 hours – parent to collect phone from school
Third Offence
Mobile phone banned from school, parents written to
Please note that with regard to confiscation the schools’ general power to discipline as set out in Section 91 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, enables a member of staff too confiscate and retain a student’s property as a disciplinary penalty where reasonable to do so.
I hope that you understand the concerns we have and why we have decided to put new
measures in place regarding mobile phones from September.
Thank you for your support in this matter .