Dear Parent/Carer,

As expected, the Government has now confirmed the statutory expectation that schools ensure students have no access to mobile phones, smart watches or other communication-enabled devices during the school day. Following the success of our arrangements last half term, we will continue with the approach already familiar to students, with some slight additions.

I would like to begin by thanking our students for the mature and responsible way they responded to these expectations. Compliance has been extremely high, with very few incidents, demonstrating the excellent attitudes of the vast majority of our young people.

To clarify our expectations, any mobile phone brought to school must be switched off and stored in the inside pocket of a student’s bag from the moment they arrive on site until they leave the building at the end of the school day. The same expectation applies to smart watches and any other device capable of communication. These items must not be carried in pockets or otherwise be on a student’s person at any time during the school day.

This approach allows us to meet statutory requirements without introducing additional costs for families through the use of pouches or lockers and, importantly, avoids disruption to learning time. It places responsibility with students, and we are pleased that they have demonstrated they are more than capable of meeting this expectation.

From feedback from students and staff and to further support a mobile phone-free school day, bags will not be permitted into toilet cubicles. During social time and before/after school, students will be told to leave their bags with a friend or on supervised hooks positioned at the entrance or within the visible area of toilet facilities. Any attempt to take a bag into a cubicle may be treated as suspicious and investigated by staff.

We fully recognise the need for students to access personal items, including sanitary products. The positioning of these hooks will allow students to do so easily and discreetly.

Students with agreed medical needs, such as diabetes, who require access to a device as part of their healthcare plan will, of course, be exempt from these arrangements. Relevant information will continue to be shared appropriately with staff through established medical support plans.

While we are confident that the vast majority of students will continue to follow these expectations, it is important that everyone understands the significance of this policy. Students who access, carry or use mobile phones or smart watches inappropriately during the school day will face escalating consequences. These may include confiscation, phone bans, additional supervision measures and, in more serious or repeated cases, suspension.

The success of this approach relies on continued support from students, parents and staff. Should compliance across the school decline significantly, we may need to consider alternative arrangements that would affect the wider school community. We are hopeful this will not be necessary given the excellent standards shown by our students so far.

Students will receive further reminders this week through assemblies and tutor time to ensure everyone understands the expectations and the reasons behind them.

Thank you for your continued support. We firmly believe that removing access to mobile phones during the school day helps create a calmer environment, reduces distractions, supports positive social interaction and allows students to focus fully on their learning.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Foskett
Headteacher
The Wilnecote School