Mobile phones in schools

Like many of you, I’ve been following the national conversation about mobile phones in schools with interest. The topic has been everywhere in the news lately. The Department for Education has tightened its guidance, making it clearer than ever that schools are expected to be “phone‑free environments by default”, and Ofsted will now look closely at how effectively mobile phone policies are enforced during every inspection. At the same time, the House of Lords has gone even further, voting in favour of a statutory nationwide ban on smartphones in schools as part of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Apparently this isn’t likely to happen yet but it’s a sign of the direction of travel.

As an interested observer, I can see both sides of the debate. Phones bring obvious risks in terms of distraction, wellbeing and exposure to inappropriate content. On the other hand, parents quite reasonably like the reassurance of their children having a way to contact them on the journey to and from school, and much of life (including some learning tools) are on phones.

That’s why I remain pleased with our own sensible approach. We moved early on this, probably 8 or more years ago now. We trust students to bring their phones into school if they wish, but we operate one very simple rule: we don’t see them, and we don’t hear them. It works because we don’t make exceptions. It keeps the school calm. And it promotes responsible behaviour without adding unnecessary layers of enforcement or complication. I am not daft, I know that some students break the rules in ways we don’t see, but seeing a phone in general circulation is rare at MHS.

I want to add a special thank you to our parents for backing this approach, especially when it’s inconvenient for you. Whether it’s resisting the temptation to message your child during the day, understanding why we ask an adult to collect confiscated phones or reminding you children (again!) to keep their phone switched off, your support genuinely makes a difference.

Whatever national changes come next we’ll respond sensibly and calmly, as we always do, with the wellbeing and learning of our students front and centre.

Have a great weekend,

Joe Barker

Share!