Can schools ban parents using phones on site?

[shadowfiesta]

Primary school have updated their mobile use policy and all staff / parents / visitors cannot use mobile phones on site. I get some of it - can't take photos of kids, staff shouldn't get distracted when teaching etc but we're not even allowed to take a call or check emails in that dreadful wait for the doors to open at the end of the day.....god, we're all going to have to talk to each other aren't we??!!

(Mine are still in ks1 so have to go on site to collect. Ks2 parents can wait on the road so they can probably do what they like!)

At the school I work in all staff must switch phones off on entering school property and go off site if they need to use them at any point in the day. School policy and not much we can do about it really - it's necessary in our particular school for a whole myriad of reasons - as much safeguarding us from potential accusations/issues because that's the kind of area/demographic we have - with very very many vulnerable children. Parents are encouraged not to use phones on site and lots of signs encouraging parents to greet children with a smile/conversation rather than mobiles. Believe me if you saw the issues we deal with and the level of language ability children have on entering the school you'd see why.

Its all about safeguarding and we have had to implement the policy at our pre-school. I went on a safeguarding course recently and it is the new guidelines. We also have to practice a full lockdown procedure incase of terrorists, so sad, but that's a whole different thing..

What a twattish attitude.

Indeed. Threatening to sue those who engage in disability discrimination. Can't be having that.

Somewhat - that's what I was thinking really.

Yes, people can get off social media for 5 mins and people used to do without phones for work purposes etc (no medics don't have pagers anymore!)

It's more the - checking time, giving my number out for play dates and making new contacts (I've one in reception) and checking calendar for availability for stuff.

That sort of day to day stuff you take for granted with an easy phone to do it.

I can't even remember my phone number to give it out verbally

Students are expected not to use their phone all day and yet parents cant even manage 5 minutes. I think thats a poor message

It is a safeguarding issue. You might find some weirdo is pretending to look at their phone but is in fact taking photos of the children for dodgy purposes. Ok so it's unlikely but it's not impossible is it? I work in a nursery and we do not use our phones at work, we also ask parent visitors not to, especially taking photos, because they don't know the ins and outs of the other children and it could be an issue. It's the same as being asked not to post pictures and videos of school plays etc on social media because it may not be a problem to you but it could be a huge issue to someone else. How do you know what one other child may be dealing with in their life?

It's a pain, yes, to be asked not to use your phone but it's really not the end of the world for 10 minutes is it?

I did see a parent leaving pre school the ither day talking on their phone

The child was trying to get their attention to show them the picture they made

That was a bit sad....

Even staff aren't allowed them at mine. Just at lunch and break and not in classrooms.

My daughters school has a no mobile phone policy for all staff, children and visitors. Phones have to be left at reception or in a locker before entering.

It's more the - checking time, giving my number out for play dates and making new contacts (I've one in reception) and checking calendar for availability for stuff

That doesn't have to be done there and then though. I don't take my phone with me when I collect dd, I leave it in my bag in the car and I don't have problems making contacts with people or arranging playdates.

Ds2's primary is often very late out. I'd be pissed off if his older (yr7) brother couldn't get in touch with me on his way home during that time.

Of course they can enforce it, they tell you to leave the property. It's the same in businesses around the world that have bans on mobiles, food. Cameras.

I actually dont use my phone much at the school but for me its just the idea of a school laying down more ridiculous rules for parents just because of a few.

If I ever get a call or a vibration alert its usually something urgent so Im afraid the school would have to lump it.

that was a bit sad

Yeah the parent should have hung up on their friend and looked at the kid's picture. That's way more important than arranging dinner with the other parent, arranging collection of your other child, helping a friend with a difficult situation.

For staff though? So the teachers are trusted to actually be physically in charge of the children, trusted to have access to potentially sensitive data about them, trusted to accompany them over night on residential trips... but not trusted to use a mobile phone in the staffroom to make a dentist's appointment or text their sick mother or take call from their own child's school if their child is taken ill?

EVERY time you get a call it's something urgent gah? So no-one else ever calls you?

Most nursery staff aren't allowed phones due to safe guarding

I'm on my phone/listening to music because I have issues with crowds due to my asd and it distracts me. Wonder how far that would legally count as a disability aid...?

Probably not far as it's not essential. There are alternatives.

I think you'd be surprised. Mine is a disability aid because it has special software on it to aid communication and to cope in stressful, social situations because I have AS. My DD also has AS and has similar. She had dispensation from the examining board and was allowed to take hers into exams with her when she was at school.

Not really Its normally work or my parents needing a quick word about something (I do a lot of fetching/carrying for them as they are elderly)

When my phone rings I usually look around to see who's it is.

It's put in place for safeguarding.
Whether or not that sounds nonsense, surely not being able to use your phone for that tiny amount of time is ok?

Presumably nursery staff don't have much time when they are not actually with the children though? Whereas secondary teachers do.

At dd's secondary school, the students are allowed to use their mobile phones in class (with the teacher's permission of course) to access documents on the school shared area, research things etc.

princess

They could well have had a brilliant reason

At no point was or am I judging

The little one looked a little sad

she was on the phone for quite a while, but yes could have been arranging something vital

I'm old enough to remember when there were no such things as mobile phones so that obvs why it doesn't bother me.

Completely ridiculous. I pay attention to my kids when they are out, but what exactly do I need to pay attention to whilst I am waiting?

The school gate is the perfect time to check your texts, emails - some from THE SCHOOL! - your social media if you wish etc. Then you have the kids, play, homework, diner, bath.. and you don't really have time until they are in bed.

Who does it hurt if I check my phone before the kids come out? Is it another of the Ofsted nonsense, and a phone ban will increase their rating? It works for nurseries, maybe it's the same for schools.

With modern technology, if a weirdo wants to take photos, he will. He doesn't need an obvious phone for that. That is a silly excuse.