Mobile Phones

Changes to Mobile Phone Policy September 2026: Mobile phones are banned during the school day.

The Department for Education (DfE) expects schools to implement a policy whereby pupils do not have access to their mobile phone throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. In line with this guidance, and our commitment to providing a calm, focused and disruption-free learning environment, we have made significant revisions to our expectations regarding mobile phones in school.

Mobile phones are banned during the school day. If a student chooses to bring a mobile phone to school for use on their journey to and from school, it must be switched off before entering the school site and remain securely stored in their school bag for the entire school day. Mobile phones must not be carried in blazer pockets, trouser pockets or any other item of clothing. A phone that is in a student's pocket will be regarded as being seen in their possession and therefore in breach of the school rules, regardless of whether it is switched on or used. Any student found with a mobile phone during the school day, including one kept in a blazer or trouser pocket, will have the phone confiscated immediately. It will be retained by the school and may be collected by a parent at the end of the school day.

If a student has their phone confiscated on a second occasion, the school will keep the phone for one week. This sanction will be applied consistently in all cases. There is one important exception for sixth form students. While the school invests in new laptop devices for the sixth form study rooms, sixth form students may use their phones in the study rooms only. If a sixth form student's phone is seen or used outside of these rooms, the same measures will apply. These expectations have been introduced to reduce distractions, support students' learning and wellbeing, and ensure that all students can benefit from an environment that promotes concentration, positive behaviour and respectful interactions.

We ask all parents and carers to support the school by ensuring their child understands these expectations before coming to school. If your child needs to bring a phone for travel purposes, they must accept that it remains switched off and in their school bag until they have left the school site at the end of the day. We appreciate parental support in helping us maintain the high standards of behaviour and learning that we expect for all students.