Times article on effectively banning mobile phones

[Another2Cats]

Just read this interesting article about a school in Kent that uses a system, imported from the US, of locking phones in a secure bag during the school day so that they can't be used.

Each student is given a bag (like a pouch, a little bigger than a phone) and they have to lock the phone in it each day. The lock is similar to those magnetic tags that shops place on high value items.

The journalist also spoke to some of the students and it was all a very positive experience.

I've included a share token so it should be available to everybody for the next couple of days;

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/e00fb040-822d-4e7e-84cb-13f5b424a9ea?shareToken=658cc0b442e0a4fbe3e9b00bd70dea5b

I really hope schools take the vast amount of research there is out there that phones in school are a bad idea and get on board with this.
If they could also stop the endless online homework as well that would be great. It's ok to print things off sometimes - in fact, it's a good idea.

Our school had a lower tech version of this. Phones had to be switched off and out of sight the whole day. If one was seen or heard it was a minor disciplinary event, if one was used it was a major one.

Two exceptions:
a) sixth formers inside the common room (not study areas) of the Sixth Form Centre
b) for those with exceptional reasons to make a call or check for messages, they could go to the front entrance hall during break or lunchtime (where there was always a member of admin staff present on the reception desk) and use their phone out there

AFAIK, it worked well enough.

Edited to add - just remembered there was a third exception - permission could be granted by teachers in lessons eg to take a photo of what was on the blackboard - but that was out, authorised activity and straight back

During school I agree with this to avoid disruption in class and stop people recording other kids and teachers. I do agree with online homework esp in years 9 and above as the children get instant feedback which lots of children going into GCSE years benefit from. It also helps with revision, there's countless sites that school set, it far more beneficial than a printout

it should be possible to do this without the investment in lockable bags (which our state schools really can’t afford).

Strong messaging from senior management downwards and sanctions for those that don’t comply. Seems to work in my kids school ok.

Any secondary school I've worked in has had the rule that phones but be switched off and out of sight during the school day - and confiscated if seen. There really is no reason to invest in special bags. Schools are hard pressed enough to buy the basic equipment needed to teach the curriculum!

Ours had the same system, AuntieStella. It worked fine. Saves the issue of the student with the dud phone for handing in to be bagged, plus the real one for use, too.

Not sure why they need the padded bags for this. You keep your phone off and out of sight during the school day. Works at DS' school.

Ds school has a very clear rule like other have said of phones out of sight all day and it seems to work well. Children have a very clear boundary and respect that on the whole.

if a child does need to use the phone for some reason then there are ways to allow this if a genuine reason.

Both my DDs had the same “Out of sight” rule mentioned above. Sixth Formers can use their phones but only in the Sixth Form building.

So I do agree this is unnecessary. If the school afforded this through parent contributions, alright but still. There are better ways to spend donations that will actually help your child in school.