Pupils will not be allowed to take mobile phones to a school in Pembroke from September 2024, following a consultation with parents, guardians and carers.
Ysgol Harri Tudur sent out a letter inviting opinions on June 26, stating: “There is increasing evidence of the negative impact that mobile phones have at school on learners’ education, safeguarding, mental health and well-being.
“Covid has certainly made the situation worse,” it adds, “with the reduction in face-to-face relationships.”
The consultation ended on July 1.
Previously the school operated an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to mobile phones, with students required to turn off their phones and leave them in their bags. In practice, this was proving difficult to enforce.
The letter continues: “Alerts from social media platforms, emails, texts and calls during the school day are creating an environment which is very difficult for learners to resist checking and responding to. Mobile phones allow learners to play music, games and take photographs and video clips. The latter places learners at risk of cyber bullying.”
There was some discussion on a local Facebook group. It’s “difficult for people with a medical condition, who need to have their phone with them,” pointed out one contributor. This concern is not just for emergencies; pupils may use their phones for glucose monitoring, medicine reminders or a wellbeing journal.
Others have welcomed the idea, hoping that it will bring about an end to dependency on the devices, reduce cyber-bullying, reduce peer pressure to buy the latest, most expensive models, and get children actually talking to one another.
However, one parent pointed out the need for pupils who are being bullied in other ways to be able to contact home for themselves.
Another commented: “Plenty of other schools already implement this policy - and it works.”
Mobile phones and all electronic devices are banned at Ysgol Bro Gwaun in Fishguard and a similar ban at Llanidloes High in Powys had “improved behaviour and relationships and eradicated cyber bullying through the day,” by the end of last year, according to the school’s headteacher. Haverfordwest High has also contacted parents and guardians recently to propose a mobile-free approach.
The Pembroke school advises: If you need to contact your child in an emergency, phone Reception or email [email protected]. If learners desperately need to contact home, they can speak to their Pastoral Leader or any senior member of staff.