Page 2 | Think this school policy is ridiculous

sadbutdontknowwhy · 2023-12-20T11:50:25+00:00

Secondary school DS15 has had his phone confiscated for the 3rd time this term. Absolutely fine, he shouldn't have had it out so deserves the punishment However, they won't give it back to him at 3.15. A parent has to go and collect it. Tried to explain that 1, it means one of us leaving work, and 2, he needs it to access the gym straight after school, and 3, it his property but they won't budge. It stays with school until a parent can collect In no way am I kicking off about the confiscation, but I'm fuming I'm also being punished as well! Arghhhhh. Rant over.

Almondmum · 20/12/2023 12:00

I would be fine with this but would feel like it was my child inconveniencing me not the school. I also wouldn't rush to pick it up.

He could wait until I can find the time.

Might it be worth getting him a Nokia brick? Especially with you wondering about ADHD? If he's struggling to control the impulse to get it out, maybe a boring and functional phone would help.

Finteq · 20/12/2023 12:00

sadbutdontknowwhy · 20/12/2023 11:59

Cheers

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You asked the question

PuttingDownRoots · 20/12/2023 12:00

They are returning it to an adult. Sounds quie reasonable actually.
The gym is not their responsibility... if it was a travel pass you may have a point, but not an non essential activity.

NuffSaidSam · 20/12/2023 12:00

sadbutdontknowwhy · 20/12/2023 11:56

I haven't been inconvenienced 3 times, just once.
DS has had a really tough term behaviour wise, we think he possibly has ADHD but he doesn't want to be assessed. That's fine
We do give punishment when needed, he has consequences to his actions
Not sure how you managed to turn an issue with school policy into how I parent

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The school policy is such because of how people parent. I was just explaining why they do it this way. They need to inconvenience the parents because otherwise they won't engage in getting their kids to stop this behaviour. If they just gave it back to him at 3:15pm, he'll keep getting it out, they'd keep giving it back etc. Nothing would change. They hope that by inconveniencing you, you'll punish him in some way that stops the behaviour e.g. taking the phone away.

If they've only inconvenienced you this time and it's his third offence you can see why not inconveniencing you doesn't work. Maybe this will work. I guess you'll find out next term.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 20/12/2023 12:01

Every time I hear about schools confiscating phones I wonder what legal right they actually have to take it? Taking it away from your son to stop him using it in class - ok, I suppose, though surely it being left in his bag/locker would be more appropriate than them stealing it? To not return it to him at the end of the day is even more ridiculous though - they should return it to him.

Icelandic9 · 20/12/2023 12:01

Sorry op he won't learn until the consequences hit him where it hurts

Not having his phone over Christmas may well be the one that achieves it

RudsyFarmer · 20/12/2023 12:01

NuffSaidSam · 20/12/2023 11:53

They punish the parents to motivate them to take a stand against their child taking their phone out in class.

You've been inconvenienced for the third time this term by your son's inability to follow a simple rule. What will the consequences be for him? I'd suggest maybe a lovely Nokia brick for Christmas?

Excellent policy to my mind. Make it as inconvenient as possible to prevent it happening again. What consequences does your son receive from you for regularly inconveniencing you in this way?

Lougle · 20/12/2023 12:01

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62d1643e8fa8f50bfbefa55c/Searching__Screening_and_Confiscation_guidance_July_2022.pdf

It's Government policy that teachers can confiscate items, and even destroy them, if it is reasonable to do so. The school will have a policy about it somewhere if you ask them.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62d1643e8fa8f50bfbefa55c/Searching__Screening_and_Confiscation_guidance_July_2022.pdf

shearwater2 · 20/12/2023 12:01

OP @sadbutdontknowwhy this article may be helpful.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/whats-the-law-on-confiscating-a-pupils-mobile-phone/

For how long can a school confiscate a pupil’s phone?

Confiscation has been a hot topic on social media this week. Ramona Derbyshire clarifies schools' and teachers' legal rights

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/whats-the-law-on-confiscating-a-pupils-mobile-phone

Original poster

sadbutdontknowwhy · 20/12/2023 12:02

Almondmum · 20/12/2023 12:00

I would be fine with this but would feel like it was my child inconveniencing me not the school. I also wouldn't rush to pick it up.

He could wait until I can find the time.

Might it be worth getting him a Nokia brick? Especially with you wondering about ADHD? If he's struggling to control the impulse to get it out, maybe a boring and functional phone would help.

Part of the reason he needs his phone, is we pay for a gym membership for him. It's all done on an app, from booking to attending. He goes 3 times a week and it has such a positive impact on him that I wouldn't want him to miss it

OP posts:

Starsun · 20/12/2023 12:03

DD’s school tried this. She needs her phone out regularly because she has a medical condition and it’s part of her care needs. She just refuses to hand it over - at first before staff were aware of her it happened a lot but I think they had a meeting so they knew to stop.

Every so often a new member of staff tries the same she just explain then refuses (they always say it’s zero tolerance no exceptions) , walks away and then lets her HOY know

PuttingDownRoots · 20/12/2023 12:03

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 20/12/2023 12:01

Every time I hear about schools confiscating phones I wonder what legal right they actually have to take it? Taking it away from your son to stop him using it in class - ok, I suppose, though surely it being left in his bag/locker would be more appropriate than them stealing it? To not return it to him at the end of the day is even more ridiculous though - they should return it to him.

They are returning it to a responsible adult, not stealing it. Plus if its on contract... it belongs to the patent anyway!

Replace phone with knife, or a bottle of rum... still stealing?

Icelandic9 · 20/12/2023 12:04

Starsun · 20/12/2023 12:03

DD’s school tried this. She needs her phone out regularly because she has a medical condition and it’s part of her care needs. She just refuses to hand it over - at first before staff were aware of her it happened a lot but I think they had a meeting so they knew to stop.

Every so often a new member of staff tries the same she just explain then refuses (they always say it’s zero tolerance no exceptions) , walks away and then lets her HOY know

That's completely different to op son's situation

Inertia · 20/12/2023 12:04

Your ire should be directed at your son, not the school.

They’re not confiscating the phones of all students, just the ones who use them in contravention of school rules.

This isn’t his first time.?

Original poster

sadbutdontknowwhy · 20/12/2023 12:04

shearwater2 · 20/12/2023 12:01

OP @sadbutdontknowwhy this article may be helpful.

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/whats-the-law-on-confiscating-a-pupils-mobile-phone/

Thanks

OP posts:

Almondmum · 20/12/2023 12:05

There may well be another way of accessing the gym? Perhaps worth ringing and asking? And I suggest the Nokia not as a complete replacement but just as an emergency 'school' phone btw

At least if that got confiscated you would be under less pressure to pick it up quickly.

RudsyFarmer · 20/12/2023 12:05

sadbutdontknowwhy · 20/12/2023 12:02

Part of the reason he needs his phone, is we pay for a gym membership for him. It's all done on an app, from booking to attending. He goes 3 times a week and it has such a positive impact on him that I wouldn't want him to miss it

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So let’s take that to its logical conclusion. If he wasn’t on it at school at times he wasn’t allowed to be on it, he would be able to go off to the gym which I assume is helping with some MH issues?

You are actually annoyed with him, not the school. So instead of posting on Mumsnet you need to be problem solving this for the New Year so it doesn’t happen again. Could he drop the phone into the office on the way in and pick it up at the end of day. Then the temptation to check it is gone.

Original poster

sadbutdontknowwhy · 20/12/2023 12:06

Inertia · 20/12/2023 12:04

Your ire should be directed at your son, not the school.

They’re not confiscating the phones of all students, just the ones who use them in contravention of school rules.

This isn’t his first time.?

My 'ire' is with the school over many things
This is just the icing on the cake.

OP posts:

Ablondiebutagoody · 20/12/2023 12:06

That's the whole point of the policy. The school need your support here not your whining.

SoupDragon · 20/12/2023 12:07

Blame your son, not the school. The policy makes sense - just confiscating it made no difference so third time you have to go pick it up. I think it's a very common policy.

Not being able to access the gym is tough - it's his own fault!

He has been badly behaved all term and your problem is with the school rather than him?

Invoice the school for your time off work.

Invoice the son, he is the one who has caused the problem.

Beenaboutabit · 20/12/2023 12:07

You need to step up OP

Lougle · 20/12/2023 12:07

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 20/12/2023 12:01

Every time I hear about schools confiscating phones I wonder what legal right they actually have to take it? Taking it away from your son to stop him using it in class - ok, I suppose, though surely it being left in his bag/locker would be more appropriate than them stealing it? To not return it to him at the end of the day is even more ridiculous though - they should return it to him.

Confiscation as a disciplinary penalty
80. Schools’ general power to discipline enables a member of staff to confiscate, retain or dispose of a pupil’s property as a disciplinary penalty, where reasonable to do so.
81. The law protects members of staff from liability in any proceedings brought against them for any loss of, or damage to, any item they have confiscated, provided they acted lawfully.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62d1643e8fa8f50bfbefa55c/Searching__Screening_and_Confiscation_guidance_July_2022.pdf

Starsun · 20/12/2023 12:07

Icelandic9 · 20/12/2023 12:04

That's completely different to op son's situation

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Yes but still highlights how teachers will try and remove a phone regardless - my dd has been screamed at when she’s tried to explain for ‘rudeness and disrespect’ and told to hand it over anyway - I’m glad she has the courage to refuse and walk away

Original poster

sadbutdontknowwhy · 20/12/2023 12:08

Beenaboutabit · 20/12/2023 12:07

You need to step up OP

You know nothing

OP posts:

NuffSaidSam · 20/12/2023 12:08

You are actually annoyed with him, not the school. So instead of posting on Mumsnet you need to be problem solving this for the New Year so it doesn’t happen again. Could he drop the phone into the office on the way in and pick it up at the end of day. Then the temptation to check it is gone.

This is a great suggestion if the school will allow it.