Mobile Phones in Classrooms

Linlithgow Academy operates a 'mobile phone free classroom' policy.


Following parental and staff feedback in March 2024 Linlithgow Academy has introduced a 'Mobile Free Classroom' policy. All relevant information on this policy and answers to frequently asked questions can be accessed via the links below. This page will be updated as and when required.

This poster is situated on every classroom door and prominently in every classroom.

The table below explains this classroom policy in more detail and gives answers to frequently asked questions.

Background

Background
This policy has been introduced because of overwhelming feedback not only from teachers and parents about the negative impact phones are having on pupil learning but also anecdotally from pupils themselves. Many pupils want help in regulating their mobile phone use. There is clear research to back this policy update, most recently: UNESCO: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/smartphones-school-only-when-they-clearly-support-learning Jonathan Haidt: Smartphones vs. Smart Kids: Smartphones vs. Smart Kids (opens new window) Feedback from parents and staff indicated the following:

What is the procedure if phones are used in classrooms without permission?

What is the agreed procedure if mobile phones are used in classrooms without permission?

Agreed procedures
1.	All classrooms have the 'mobile phone' classroom poster and the wall 'phone holder' positioned and secured in an appropriate area close to teacher desk. All classroom desks are individually numbered (permanent ink/ sticker) which will correspond to a wall holder number.
2.	Teachers will remind pupils at the start of *every class* of the new procedure - the following statement will be reviewed regularly as the policy embeds. 'Our mobile phone policy has always stated that phones should not be out during class time as this is increasingly getting in the way of effective teaching and learning. Our new policy asks you to automatically place your mobile phone in the wall holder or your school bag when coming into the classroom. If you have not done so, do it now! Your mobile phone should not be on your person. Should you not do this, your phone will be confiscated and placed securely in the school office for the rest of the day. We will also let home know.' We would expect pupils to have a school bag. This means they have an option to keep their phone in their possession by placing in the bag. This addresses some concerns from parents that their child should remain in possession of their phone as they enter the classroom. If a pupil does not bring a school bag then they have forfeited this option and the phone must be placed in the wall holder.
3.	If a pupil does not follow above and then uses their phone without permission, they have made the active choice to go against this agreed classroom policy. Staff will state that a duty member of staff will now be called to escort the young person to the office to store their phone there for the rest of the day. Suggested staff script: 'You have gone against school mobile phone policy. I am now phoning for an on-call member of staff to support you handing your phone into the school office for the rest of the day. A Groupcall message to home informing them of this will also be sent'.
4.	A phone call is made to the office for the on-call member of staff to collect the young person and escort them to the office. Staff should clearly state the office call is regarding mobile phone use. School Office will record the details of this phone call. School Office will check the child does not have a medical exemption (pt. 9).
5.	Accompanied by the on-call member of staff, the young person will take their phone to the school office. A label with their details is completed by them and the pupil places phone in a plastic bag, this is then secured by office staff. The young person will return to class. The phone can be collected by pupil at 3.35pm. Pupils are not allowed out of class early to collect. School buses wait 7 minutes before departure so there is plenty of time to get phone.
6.	A Groupcall message will be sent home from School Office alerting parents/carers that the school phone policy has been broken and the phone confiscated until end of day. '(name child) has made the decision to go against our agreed mobile phone policy during class today. The phone has been confiscated and stored securely in our school office for collection by them at 3.35pm. We ask that you speak to your child about this when they come home to ensure it does not happen again. If you need to get in contact with your child during the school day please contact the school office who will pass on any message. Thank you for your support.'
7.	If a young person refuses to hand in their mobile phone to the Office, it will escalate to an 'SLT Assist'. If young person still refuses, parent/carer will be phoned and the pupil will not return to class until resolved. Parent/ carer will also be advised that their young person should not be bringing their mobile phone to school because they cannot follow the agreed school policy. The SLT member will deal with this. If similar incidents regularly occur this will become a disciplinary issue and parents/carers invited into school.
8.	Pupils should collect their confiscated phone at 3.35pm - and sign their phone back out. This ensures there is a clear paper record.
9.	Exemptions to be shared with staff - this will be mainly medical.

Exemptions

Exemptions
The only exemptions will be for medical reasons, for example young people with diabetes who use their phone to check/regulate blood sugar levels. This is a very small number of pupils and this will be communicated to staff.

Why was the decision taken to hold the confiscated mobile phone until end of day?

Why was the decision taken to hold the confiscated mobile phone until end of day?
To ensure the consistent administration and safe storage of confiscated mobile phones this decision means an equity of approach across the school day which is easily understood by pupils/teachers and admin staff.

Why is the school bag an option for storing the phone?

Why is the school bag an option for storing the phone?
A significant minority of parents and 59% of teachers indicated that pupils should have the option to place their phone in their bag, hence ensuring it remains in their possession. This gives pupils an option that can deescalate any feeling of anxiety but at the same time ensure the mobile phone is out of view. If a pupil chooses to not bring a bag to school then the only option is the wall holder.

What is the procedure in practical PE?

What is the procedure in practical PE?
Within practical PE lessons there are a couple of differences in the process. On entry to PE students have 2 options with their mobile phones Phones to be left within bags in the changing rooms (which will be locked at the start of each period) or Students can bring phones into indoor teaching areas and placed in mobile phone holders or in a valuables box which will be locked in the store cupboard if on an outdoor teaching area.

What if teachers wish to allow pupils to use their phone to access the internet/TEAMS etc during classtime?

What if teachers wish to allow pupils to use their phone to access the internet/TEAMS etc during class time?
The teacher makes the decision when mobile phone use is being allowed for a particular learning reason. Once that reason has been overtaken, then the classroom policy applies, reminder will be read, meaning any future use becomes a phone collection duty.

If phone has been confiscated, how does a parent get in contact with their child?

If phone has been confiscated, how does a parent get in contact with their child?
You will be informed if your child has inappropriately used their phone in class. If required, parents should contact the school office and we will get in contact with your child to pass on any message. We would ask parents to remember their children are in class all day and to only message their child at interval (11.20-11.35) and lunchtime (1.15pm - 1.55pm). This allows you to assist us in removing phone distractions.

What if pupils use their phone to show their pre-order number to canteen staff at lunchtime?

What if pupils use their phone to show their pre-order number to canteen staff at lunchtime?
If required, a pupil can access their confiscated phone at lunchtime to view this number. Office staff will write the number on a card and sign it. This card can then be shown to catering staff. Phone will remain in school office until end of day.

What should teachers do if they see a phone being used in a corridor?

What should teachers do if they see a phone being used in a corridor?
Our updated guidance currently only covers classroom use. Staff can remind the pupil of the school classroom policy and ask them to remember to follow the instructions when going into class.

What if a parent/carer refuses permission for their child's phone to be held in school office if confiscated?

What if a parent/carer refuses permission for their child's phone to be held in school office if confiscated?
If a parent/carer insists that their child's phone cannot be stored in school office even when their child does not follow the policy, then once at school office, parent will be contacted so an appropriate adult family member can come into school to collect their child's phone. The pupil will remain out of class for the rest of the day until the adult arrives. This ensures a consistency and equity of approach with the same logical consequence being administered for any inappropriate use of the mobile phone.

Will there be a review of the policy?

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Mobile Phones in Classrooms

This poster is situated on every classroom door and prominently in every classroom.

The table below explains this classroom policy in more detail and gives answers to frequently asked questions.