The school said it aims to ‘create an environment free from distractions’, with kids to be forced to go without their devices for six hours until the end of the day
The school said it aims to ‘create an environment free from distractions’,(Image: Vincent Cole – Manchester Evening News)
A school in Greater Manchester has announced it will be issuing a new ban – with students to be told to hand in their mobile phones at the start of the school day.
Parrenthorn High School on Heywood Road in Prestwich sent a letter to parents and carers this week informing them that they aim to ‘create an environment free from distractions’, with kids to be forced to go without their devices for six hours until the end of the day.
As per the letter sent by the school, their new ‘phone-free’ policy is set to first be implemented with year 7 and 8 pupils from next month. They will be ‘expected to hand in their smartphones at the start of the school day’, which will then be stored in phone lockers and returned to them at 3pm.
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The headteacher explained this would then be rolled out to the rest of the school’s year groups from September, when pupils return after the summer break.
“If you need to pass on an urgent message to your child, please contact the school office,” the letter continued. “Research shows that smartphones can pose significant distractions, particularly in the classroom.
“With constant notifications and the lure of social media, many students find it increasingly difficult to focus during lessons. In fact, from our own parent survey, 90 per cent of you said you would like your child to spend more time away from screens.”
The school said the introduction of the six-hour phone break will aim to ‘help pupils form better habits, without the temptation of constant phone access’.
Parrenthorn High School Prestwich(Image: Vincent Cole – Manchester Evening News)
The letter added: “Phones will be collected at the start of the school day and securely stored until dismissal. We firmly believe this approach will enhance the overall learning experience for all pupils and support them in forming habits that will contribute to long-term success.
“We appreciate your partnership in helping us to create the best possible educational experience for your child. We have no doubt this will positively impact your children.”
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Schools in England were given non-statutory Government guidance in February last year intended to stop the use of phones during the school day.
Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza has previously said banning mobile phones should be a headteacher’s choice rather than imposed nationally by the Government.
A separate survey by the commissioner, of more than 15,000 state schools in England, suggests the majority of schools are implementing phone policies suggested by the Department for Education (DfE).
Schools in England were given non-statutory Government guidance in February last year intended to stop the use of phones during the school day.(Image: PA)
The research, published earlier in April found that 90 per cent of secondary schools questioned, and 99.8 per cent of primary schools, already have policies in place that restrict pupils’ use of mobile phones during the school day.
This included policies banning phones on school grounds, requiring children to hand in phones or leave them in a secure place that they cannot access in the day, or requiring them to be kept out of sight.
And last month teaching union chief Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said teachers say mobile phones are ‘lethal weapons’ which pupils are using at school to abuse others and disrupt lessons.
In a speech to the union’s annual conference in Liverpool, Mr Roach called for a plan to tackle the ‘national emergency’. He said: “Youth violence is now a public health issue of our times and we need a national response to it. Restricting pupils’ access to mobile phones would be a start, but we need much more than that.”
Nearly a quarter of a million children spend more than four hours a day on devices(Image: PA)
Nearly a quarter of children spend more than four hours a day on an internet-enabled device, a survey for the children’s commissioner suggested last month.
A YouGov poll of 502 children in England aged eight to 15 found that 23 per cent spend more than four hours a day using an internet-enabled device with a screen, such as a computer, phone, tablet or gaming console.
A quarter spend two to three hours a day on such a device, while 20 per cent spend three to four hours a day, according to the survey, which was carried out in March and April.