Mobile Phones

As a school we continually strive to improve the learning experience of our students. To ensure that this is the case a positive learning environment is essential; however, recently the use of mobile phones in school has become an issue.

The advent of smart phones has exasperated the problem due to the increased capacity for the internet and games that these phones provide.  It is also a concern that these phones are an expensive piece of equipment, and by bringing them into school this may be a cause of jealously amongst students.

We fully accept that parents would like students to carry mobile phones as a safety measure, but we cannot have them affecting learning in the classroom.  Unfortunately, this has been the case recently and a small, but significant number of pupils have been deliberately flouting the Academy’s behaviour policy and disrupting learning by using their mobile phone in lessons.  This is completely unacceptable.

Our rule on the use of mobile phones is very simple: students are allowed to have mobile phones in school, but they must never be either visible or used in lessons.  If this rule is disobeyed, the member of staff will follow the Academy Behaviour Policy for pupils who disrupt the learning of others, and the appropriate sanction will apply. For persistent offenders, the mobile phone will be confiscated and kept safely until the parent has been informed and agrees to the phone being returned to the student.  Again, in the interests of minimal disruption to learning, confiscated phones will only be released at the end of the school day.

In order to support us in dealing with the inappropriate use of mobile phones during the school day, can I also request that parents/carers do not contact students whilst they are in lessons.

If there is an emergency and your child needs to be contacted during school hours, then please phone Reception on 0114 2392631.  A message can quickly be distributed or a member of staff will be instructed to take your child to a private area to contact you, whichever is deemed most appropriate.

Can we, once again thank you for your continued support in our drive to improve the learning experiences for all our students at the Academy.

Yours sincerely

 

Mr P Thornely
Vice Principal: Operations