Mobile Phone Policy

Purpose

This policy sets out the expectations for the use of mobile phones within the school. Our aim is to ensure a safe, focused, and respectful learning environment for all pupils while recognising that some older pupils may need to bring a phone to school for safety reasons before and after school hours.

General Principles

The school discourages pupils from bringing mobile phones onto the premises unless absolutely necessary.
The school is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of any mobile devices brought onto school grounds.
Mobile phones must not be used during the school day unless explicitly authorised by a member of staff.

Early Years and Key Stage 1 & 2 (Reception to Year 4)

Pupils in Reception to Year 4 are not allowed to bring mobile phones to school.
Any exceptional circumstances must be discussed and agreed in advance with the Headteacher.

Years 5 and 6 – Permitted with Conditions

Pupils in Years 5 and 6 may bring a mobile phone to school only with parental permission, typically where children walk to or from school independently.
Upon arrival at school, all mobile phones must be:

Switched off (not on silent or vibrate)
Handed in immediately to the designated staff member
Placed in the secure phone lock box

Phones will remain securely locked away throughout the entire school day.
Phones may only be collected at the end of the school day and must not be switched on until the pupil has left the school premises.

Use of Mobile Phones

Pupils must not use mobile phones anywhere on school grounds at any time during the school day.
This includes break times, lunch times, and during after-school clubs unless explicitly authorised by staff.
The use of mobile phones to take photographs, videos, or recordings is strictly prohibited.

Safeguarding and Behaviour

Any misuse of a mobile phone, including attempts to access it during the day, will be treated as a breach of school behaviour policy.
Inappropriate use (e.g., social media, messaging, photography) may result in:

Confiscation of the device
Parental contact
Further disciplinary action in line with school behaviour policy

Staff and Visitors

Staff and visitors are expected to model appropriate use of mobile phones and follow school safeguarding guidelines at all times.

Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or as required to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

EE Parent Child Phone Contract

The P.H.O.N.E. Contract has been developed following a wealth of insights on smartphone usage from the newly formed EE Youth Council, not-for-profit organisation Internet Matters, parent ambassador Konnie Huq, and thousands of families across the UK.

It is a fully customisable downloadable document from the EE website, and covers topics including screentime, phone curfews and other situations when smartphone use is not allowed, as well as tools to monitor usage. It has been designed to feature input from both parent and child, ensuring young people feel heard in the decision-making process and can understand the rules being set.

The P.H.O.N.E. Contract follows new research of thousands of families across the UK, which reveals clear communication gaps and family flashpoints around smartphone boundaries and safety. The insights reveal 9 in 10 adults (93%) argue with their children over smartphone use, while 39% of parents and 31% of 11-17-year-olds believe clearer guidelines over their devices and social media use would reduce family friction.

More information can be found here: EE Parent Child Phone Contract Information

The contract can be downloaded here: EE Parent Child Phone Contract