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Mobile Phone and Electronic Devices Policy
School Policies
Oylegate N.S
Mobile Phone and Electronic Devices Policy
Introductory Statement:
This policy was drawn up in response to technological advances, which have seen a significant increase in hand held electronic ‘gadgets’ amongst the school population over recent years.
Rationale:
IPods, mobile phones, Game Boys, PSPs, MP3 Players, etc. are intrusive and distracting in a school environment
Strategies must be put in place to reduce the intrusiveness of unauthorisedtechnology in a school situationelectronic devices may be harmful due to frequent usephones may be used to conduct bullying campaigns
Relationship to School Ethos:
The use of mobile phones and other electronic games contravenes the provision of a safe and secure school environment and is not conducive to learning - a provision which is central to the mission statement and ethos of Oylegate N.S.
Aims:
To lessen intrusions on and distractions to children’s learningmaintain a safe learning environment
Internal School Procedures:
The following are the guidelines for mobile phone/electronic devices usage in the school:
Children are not allowed to use mobile phones/electronic devices during school hours. There is no need. The school phone is available for all urgent calls that need to be made.
In exceptional circumstances, such as when out of school activities and after school games are scheduled, school tours etc., children may be allowed carry a phone as parents may need to be contacted. Phones must be switched off. The teacher’s permission is necessary before a phone may be switched on. This is to prevent misuse such as taking photos or swapping unsuitable digital material.
Should a pupil bring a mobile phone to school, the phone must be held in the teacher’s drawer, switched off during the school day and may not be used, for any purpose, on school premises, grounds or during off-site school activities (such as school swimming or sports activities). The only exception to this is in an emergency or with the approval of a teacher.
Pupils who ignore this policy and use or possess a mobile phone or electronic device on school premises without permission will be required to hand over the item to a member of staff, and parents of the child will be asked to collect it from the school office.
The school will treat breaches of this policy as they would treat any other breach of school discipline.
The school accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones or electronic devices. The safety and security of these items is wholly a matter for pupils/parents. If a child chooses to bring in a mobile phone or electronic device, he/she accepts that the teacher will hold the phone/electronic device but that he/she accepts absolutely no responsibility for loss, theft or damage of any description.
The school accepts no responsibility for pupils who lose or have their mobile phones/electronic devices stolen while travelling to and from school. The school accepts no responsibility for pupils who, by their actions, cause a phone/electronic device to be confiscated.
Pupils should mark their mobile phone clearly with their name.
Mobile phones/ electronic devices which are found in the school and whose owner cannot be located should be handed to a member of staff.
It is strongly advised that pupils use passwords/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other pupils, or if stolen). Pupils must keep their password/pin numbers confidential. Mobile phone and/or passwords should not be shared.
Pupils using mobile phones to bully other pupils or send offensive messages/calls during school hours will face disciplinary actions as per the School Code of Behaviour.
If a pupil needs to contact home, or vice versa, in exceptional circumstances during the course of the school day the school phone is available to them.
Additional Points
Children who need to contact home during school hours may do so through the school secretary using the school landline phoneelectronic gadgets are banned, even during after-school activitiespupil who brings a mobile phone or electronic device to school in contravention of the rules risks having it confiscated and not returned until collected by the pupil’s parent.