London Oratory complete mobile phone ban even on long commutes

[Goldie1990]

Interested to hear from any current parents - how can there not be an outcry about this? With an intentionally pan-London intake where many commutes easily exceed an hour, it's the last school that should have this policy. Yet it's one of only a tiny number I can find that doesn't even permit brick phones - and it's deliberately extended to the entire school journey, making it an offense to have so much as a Nokia on hand during a transport emergency.

The head's rationale at the open evening was that there is far more danger on a smartphone these days than there is for an 11-year old crossing London by themselves. While that argument may be debatable, it breaks down completely when applied to brick phones. New guidance from DfE even recommends schools with large commuter populations to consider workarounds like handing in brick phones/keeping them switched off in their bag throughout the day. Even trackers with SOS call buttons are banned - all you're allowed is a basic tracker to see where they are (but with no means of contacting them).

I’m not a current parent. But if they’re right that phones are a danger, you have to decide if you agree. Not to mention the fact that not having a phone teaches children resilience and how to solve a problem if there are transport issues. How did kids manage before smartphones? They did.

If this is a dealbreaker for you, then maybe look at other schools. LOS is very strict. And a long commute at 11 isn’t ideal anyway.

What about a smart watch that can make calls or are they banned too?

Anything that would allow a child to call his parents in an emergency is banned.

Oh sod off we had phone boxes in every street and you know it.

Sounds like an attention seeking controlling head! I would run a mile.

It's an interesting perspective because your argument is probably close to the one the school would actually make when challenged. “Children managed before smartphones” is true, but does not establish that removing an available emergency communication method is beneficial. And “it teaches resilience” is a coherent educational argument, but it needs weighing up against the practical value of being able to contact a parent when an 11-year-old's train is cancelled, they get stranded somewhere unfamiliar, or they feel unsafe.

Agree a long commute's not ideal at 11 (our DS would be 12 from September, but the point stands) - this would be our 5th or 6th CAF slot after 4-5 local choices though. :-) It's more the principle that bothers me.

Just a few years ago they dumped all our DCs on EdTech and online during Covid, and now apparently smart phones are akin to heroine. It is another fad just like the former. The world is digital, the kids need to be educated properly and supervised around screen use both at school and home. Washing your hands off it entirely is failing in your duty to educate the kids in the first place.
Besides it really is not just the kids at schools who are screen addicts. We have whole parts of the voting population being manipulated online, seems far more urgent than some kids getting to school and checking for train delays! So it is bullshit.

Doesn't really address the brick phone option though?

I have a son there and will be sending his brother. I fully support this policy. He has an airtag in his bag so I can track him, and I’m not worried about him being mugged for his phone.
It hasn’t been an issue and we’re in our 3rd year there.

Also please remember you are not obliged to send your kids there.

This is ridiculous, for a start TFL app to show if tube is not working or down or delay. App to show alternative travel routes. Apps to get discounts.
No one has an A to Z travel map book, no pay phones, and in this day of phone robberies, no adults will pass you a phone to call. Tube stations are not manned so who can you ask?
So physical card payment options for kids charges yearly or monthly for the privilege.
The revert to the past without considering the societal changes is a major issue.

That’s madness. Like hell would I commute myself without a phone let alone a 12 year old! I wouldn’t choose the school. It’s daft to say there is more danger on the phone. That’s just a silly catchphrase I’ve heard some Heads saying.
The world uses phones and they need to get used to it. I bet the Head has one! We don’t have phone boxes anymore.

Exactly. I saw someone on here before on a similar post saying a kid could ask another adult for a phone. Yeah right am I handing my phone to someone who could run off with it.

I used to keep an a to z in my bag but like you said no one does that now.

@Goldie1990 - as far as I am aware the brick phone thing is a fad too. Pretty sure one of my nephews was handed a brick phone at Eton College some years ago when the whole John Haidt thing became fashionable amongst the elite of educationalists. I am pretty sceptical of all these fads/trends. I think it should be a parental decision not some education guru/academic telling everyone how things are done and then the heads following suit etc. - it is not a school’s decision what a child carries on them once they left the premises if it is not otherwise fully illegal. But then my youngest is at a grammar school and they tend to take a middle of the road approach on most things tech and discipline related. I don’t like extremes either way or being told what to do.

Thank you for sharing - it's genuinely useful and reassuring to have an insider's perspective. May I ask how long your DS' commute is and whether the airtag provides accurate tracking in real time? I've never used one before.

His total commute is approximately an hour including a change at Clapham junction. There are loads of Oratory boys on both his trains, and the older boys do look out for the younger ones especially if trains are cancelled or delayed as they often are!
Airtag is pretty reliable, sometimes it lags a bit but it’s generally fine

OK that is exactly what our commute would be too, right down to the change at Clapham Junction. 😄So is it the case then that you have literally dozens of Oratory boys catching the 8:11 Mildmay line train from CJ every morning?

Ours does not allow smart phones/watches but does allow brick. Sensible compromise. I’d struggle with a no brick policy and we are just 2 miles away.

Exactly. I'd actually agree with no smartphones/watches. There is no safeguarding rationale for not allowing brick on any commute, let alone long ones. Nobody is going to get mugged for a £15k Nokia.

I don't get this. DS called for an ambulance twice on commutes. One hit and run, kid knocked off bicycle, broken wrist. And one elderly lady with epilepsy.

If you were to put a switched off Nokia in their bag - only for emergency use - would the school even know?

This is ridiculous

I get you have to hand your phone in at the beginning of the day, but to say you can’t have them when it sounds like the point of the school is to get kids commuting there no that’s not on.

what age is this for?

I have a child at another school with this policy, it's brilliant major reason behind decision to send him. I have older children who are not at uni and I do wish we knew the harm that phones caused prior to their secondary school experiences. No phones removes an the arguments and what is dumb and smart etc

In a rural area with the risk of being stuck somewhere for hours or all night if bus was cancelled I think there is an argument for needing to be able call not on London when zip card is physical and there are alternatives when public transport plays up there is no worry evidenced by the schools that have told policy and parents are not up in arms opposition.

If it doesn't work for you and your family then I would choose other options

They might get mugged if it cost 15 K…

The thought had occured to me but he's very much a play by the rules personality type. ^^ Maybe if I agree to strap a note to it saying I forced him to take it, address the matter with me if found lol.