Recently, in the news, there has been a large amount of discussion regarding banning mobile phones in schools. Research studies have shown that there is a correlation between young people having access to mobile phones and a negative impact on learning and teaching, behaviour, attainment and achievement. The conclusion is that this negativity outweighs any potential benefits which having access to a mobile phone brings.
The Scottish Government is currently drawing up a mobile phone policy which all indications point to a recommended ban. However, there is currently a large amount of new policy being developed in education which seems to have led to delays. Therefore, as a school staff we have discussed mobile phones and concluded that the current policy doesn’t support the pupils with their learning. We would like to introduce a total ban from the change of timetable on Monday 20 May 2024 for S1 – S3 pupils and Monday 27 May 2024 for returning senior pupils. The proposed, updated mobile phone policy is attached.
Research based evidence for banning mobile phones includes:
- Improvement in academic performance due to massively reduced distractions. This is greatest for pupils who are in the lowest 20% of attainers.
- Cuts down on screen time.
- Reduces cyber bullying.
- Cuts down on anxiety regarding potential emergency phone calls.
- Improvement in concentration and memory.
- Removes the reinforcement of negative stereotypes, social media groups and F.O.M.O. during the school day.
- Improves both mental and physical health.
- Improves social skills as pupils chat more face to face rather than rely on text messages, even when they are sitting right next to the person they are texting.
The Parent Council have been approached for their advice and are supportive of this revised policy and a number of parents have raised concerns regarding mobile phones recently. However, to enable all parents to discuss and understand the updated mobile phone policy, there will be an information drop-in on Thursday 9 May at 5.30pm before the S3 Parents’ Evening. All parents, not just those parents attending the S3 Parents’ Evening, who would like to find out more about the new policy are invited to attend and the drop-in will take place in the canteen.
I hope that as a parent forum, you can understand the reasons behind our proposed updated mobile phone policy. Please contact the school if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, if you would like to discuss the issue in more depth.
Claire McGonigal, Headteacher
Updated Mobile Phone Policy letter – issued 07/05/24
Mobile Phone Policy – issued 07/05/24
Grantown Grammar School 