Are schools (Southgate, N14) strict about mobiles?

[CrazyCatLadyWithKids]

Relocating from rural Scotland to London, Southgate, my DS will be going into yr 8 - hopefully Ashmole Academy in Southgate. Currently he has a mobile, as do all his friends. He’ll be keeping it (at least at home) to stay in touch with current friends, but my question is do London schools have to be stricter because of safety (mugging etc)? I don’t want him to be a social pariah if the others sneak them in, but I also want him to stay safe and out of trouble. What’s the real story?

Can’t talk about that particular school but we’re London based and my children and friends all use a mobile. They just have to switch them off in school

DS will be starting at Ashmole in September. They have a strict reputation, and I’d also like to know how true this reputation is. DS will be commuting on public transport, so I can see a brick might be useful for emergencies - but will it be allowed?

Why don't you contact the school? I know it's the holidays but someone will be around ...

For me, contacting the school will get the (strict) policies read back to me. I want to know what happens in practice.

Ashmole do not allow mobiles, the kids I know who goes there all hid them in their bags but they do do spot checks

As a matter of interest, how are the pupils meant to manage their transport to and from school without using a mobile? Genuine question, it crops up often as a reason why parents feel that total bans on phones are unreasonable. Are there other ways of paying for tickets?

You are right @Butfirstcoffee123 . Many students take mobiles and even though staff conducts spot checks, students still take mobiles, use in class and distract others. Many policies are just on paper. for e.g. before Christmas holidays fall - during mocks - many students who do not celebrate Christmas go away to their countries without informing school and in January school conducts special exams for them. At that time they do to care about funding, wastage of resources and time but when they have to support SEN students they give excuses of funding, short of staff etc. In theory they have very inclusive diversity policies. I hope not, but in case your child is struggling academically don't expect much support from them.

I know Ashmole very well; my daughter has been there since Year 7 and is now in the 6th form. It is a well led school with high standards and aspirations. Unlike lots of other schools, it has always been a no mobile school apart from 6th form (there are still rules about their usage). In reality, lots of students have their mobiles in their bags/lockers but they are turned off. If they go off or they are seen\found they are confiscated and parents spoken to. They are not allowed on lessons. Lots of children hand them in at the start of the day and collect them in the evening so that solves any issues regarding travelling and public transport. It is an excellent school and you won’t get better state non selective provision. The Pastoral teams work hard, as do subjects teachers, and the SEND department are attentive but as with all schools everyone is trying to do more with less resources. Good luck with your move.

The same way we did when smartphones weren't a thing?
What great advantages would a smartphone provide? Being able to check on an app if the bus arrives in 2 minutes or in 7? I'd say kids can survive without

Smartphones are very detrimental to the mental wellbeing of children https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/mar/21/the-anxious-generation-by-jonathan-haidt-a-pocket-full-of-poison

Even if they are not allowed in school, kids will then glue themselves to the screens instead of socialising when they leave school

No doubt it has high standards and aspirations, no doubt it is disciplined, no doubt subject teachers work hard and excellent for children who are naturally academic. SEN dept helps systematically only to children who have formal diagnosis. Many parents whose children have been there since year 7, who need extra support and are on undiagnosed SEN needs didn't find pastoral care helpful. SENCo is good but is controlled by a manager who is very experienced in giving promises and procrastinating curriculum support. SEN dept has to be attentive, that's their job. Since it was classed as 'Outstanding' for many years, it gets lot of funding. So having more resources is not difficult for them. They do confiscate mobiles if they see it but many children do use mobiles on silence under their desks in classrooms.