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Please refer to our list of Frequently Asked Questions below in relation to the use of mobile phones at The Marvell College, where we follow Department for Education (DfE) guidance on such matters.
A summary of the advice published by the DfE is as follows:
The role of staff
“All staff should consistently enforce the school’s policy on the use of mobile phones.”
Expectations for pupils
“All pupils should be clear on the school’s policy on prohibiting the use of mobile phones and should be reminded of the policy, the consequences and the sanctions for not following it, at the start of each school year and again, where appropriate, at regular intervals.”
The role of parents
“Parents have an important role in supporting the school’s policy on prohibiting the use of mobile phones. The policy should be clearly explained to parents, including the reasons behind the policy and the school’s expectations. Parents should also be encouraged to reinforce and discuss the policy at home as appropriate, including the risks associated with mobile phone use and the benefits of a mobile phone-free environment. Where parents need to contact their child during the school day, they should be directed to the school office, where staff should be aware of the school’s policy on relaying messages and facilitating contact.”
The use of sanctions
“DfE provides guidance on how schools can use sanctions lawfully in the Behaviour in Schools guidance. Schools can use a range of sanctions for breaching the mobile phone policy appropriate to their context, including confiscation and detentions.”
The Marvell College Mobile Phone Policy
A polite reminder that our mobile phone policy is printed in the pupil planner, but there are some key points from it below.
Whilst the College cannot be responsible for valuable items pupils bring to College, parents may feel it is important that their child has a mobile phone with them. They may do so on the condition that the mobile phone is switched off and kept out of sight, in the pupil’s bag, at all times when the pupil is on the College premises. Pupils who need to contact home during the College day can do so if appropriate, using the College telephone system, with the permission of the relevant Head of Year.
When a pupil is seen with a mobile phone on College premises it will be confiscated from them and can be collected from the Year Office at the end of the day. Each incident will be logged. If a pupil’s phone cannot be seen but nevertheless is heard to ring or emit a text message alert sound whilst on College premises, a member of staff will require the pupil to hand over the phone for confiscation, as above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK for my child to bring their mobile phone to school?
Yes. We know that some pupils might need their phone to contact a responsible adult in case of an emergency before or after school.
Can my child use their mobile phone in school?
No. This is primarily a safeguarding issue relating to online safety and there are some inherent dangers for several of our pupils should their image appear on social media. Pupils should have their mobile phone switched off and at the bottom of their bag when they are on our school site. If a pupil does not have a school bag, the school will be happy to help with this or lend them one for the day.
In addition to this, it provides pupils with a break from social media and reduces their screen time. Evidence from recent studies has indicated this is beneficial to pupils’ well-being and mental health, as well as increasing their ability to focus in class, which will lead to improved progress for them.
The only exceptions are when a pupil has a condition confirmed by a medical professional which may mean they need an electronic device to raise an alarm if they are in potential danger. An example here may be a pupil with severe diabetes who needs to monitor their blood sugar levels. We will always consider such requests upon receipt of written medical evidence.
The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage of mobile phones or other electronic devices brought onto our site.
What should my child do if they need to contact me urgently during the school day?
Pupils should seek permission from an adult, who will arrange for them to go to a private office where they will be able to ring home using the school landline or their own phone if this is appropriate.
This process ensures pupils are safeguarded and that sensitive conversations take place in an appropriate, supervised environment.
What should I do if I need to contact my child urgently?
Either come into school and we will arrange for your child to be brought to the reception, or contact your child’s Year Office. They will be able to pass on a message or bring your child to the phone if required.
Parents and carers are asked not to contact pupils directly on their mobile phones during the school day, as this may disrupt learning and safeguarding procedures.
What happens if a pupil is caught using their phone during school hours?
The mobile phone will be confiscated by the member of staff and can be retrieved at the end of the school day.
If this happens on three or more occasions in any half term, the mobile phone will be confiscated for a period of one week or until a parent/carer can come in to collect it.
If the use of the mobile phone is in contravention of other school behaviour rules, additional sanctions may be applied as appropriate. For example, repeated misuse may lead the school to request that a pupil does not bring a mobile phone onto the school site for a specified period.
What about other electronic devices such as iPads and smart watches?
We do not allow smart watches or any other devices that may connect to the internet to be worn in school and strongly suggest that expensive items such as these are not brought into school. If the devices are used in a similar manner to a mobile phone, this will be treated in the same way, with the procedures highlighted in previous answers followed.
Please note that a pupil taking any electronic device into a public examination is likely to be disqualified, and we apply the same policy to our internal assessments to encourage pupils into good habits.
Are staff allowed to use their mobile phones during lessons?
No. Staff are expected to model to pupils the expected behaviours regarding mobile phone usage. In case of an emergency, staff are asked to use their mobile phones in a private office. Some staff will carry their mobile phone with them in case of emergencies occurring in school so that relevant authorities may be contacted. Such instances are always agreed in advance with their line manager.
This approach ensures consistency, professionalism, and modelling of expectations from our staff.