Garth Hill College THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES AND DIGITAL DEVICES POLICY. Ratified by Curriculum and Pupil Development Committee:

Transcription

1 Garth Hill College THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES AND DIGITAL DEVICES POLICY Policy Owner: Principal Amended: September 2017 Amended: March 2018 Ratified by Curriculum and Pupil Development Committee: Recorded by Board of Governors: Next Review Date: September 2020 Page 1 of 7

2 Amendment since last ratified: 1. Page 5 - timings of break and lunch amended as per the new college timetable from September Page 5 removal of learning activities section. We no longer permit the use of mobile phones in the classroom for educational purposes. 3. Review date September Page 2 of 7

3 Contents Policy Aims and Purpose, Introduction... 4 Use of Mobile Phones and Digital Devices... 5 Consequences of Misuse of Mobile Phones and Digital Devices... 5 Serious Misuse or Offence Responsible Use of Mobile Phones and Digital Devices..7 Ratification... 7 Page 3 of 7

4 Policy on the Use of Mobile Phones and Digital Devices Policy Aims and Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide information to all pupils, parents, staff and Governors on the use of mobile phones and digital devices on college site and college related activities. The College s Policy on Mobile Phones and Digital Devices aims to: help create a safe environment ensure the health, safety and well being of all members of the college community at all times create an appropriate ethos around the college during the normal working day, including break and lunchtimes outline the procedures which will be followed in response to inappropriate use of such items in college. Introduction We do not encourage pupils to bring mobile phones and/or digital devices on to the college site. Pupils and parents must accept full responsibility for such items if they choose to bring them onto the college site or use them for college related activities. The College cannot be held liable for theft or damage to mobile phones or digital devices that are brought onto the college site. The College accepts that mobile phones and digital devices are a fact of life for young people in the 21st Century. There are also some benefits and learning opportunities to be gained from the use of such technology. The College acknowledges that some parents feel there is a personal safety aspect to their son/daughter carrying a mobile phone. Mobile phones and digital devices may have a part to play in securing pupils personal safety before and after college and on journeys to and from college. Nevertheless, the College is alert to the challenges to personal safety and well being that they can pose. The College is committed to promoting safe and responsible use of such items and pupils also need to know the consequences of misuse. This will form part of the College s Personal Development curriculum. In line with the College s Behaviour Policy and associated procedures, firm action will be taken against all forms of poor behaviour, including inappropriate use of mobile phones and digital devices. Irresponsible use of mobile phones and digital devices will not be tolerated. Action will be taken against those pupils who misuse mobile phones and digital devices in college Use of Mobile Phones and Digital Devices Mobile phones and digital devices must be switched off and kept out of sight during the college day (including registration sessions which overrun the bell, detentions and other formal after-college activities) in all areas. Mobile phones must be switched off on entering the School Blocks. This applies to all learning spaces, corridors, toilets, changing rooms, grounds/campus and transport. Page 4 of 7

5 The exceptions to this are the designated zone/s and times where mobile phones and digital devices may be used in the College under staff supervision. Currently the designated zone/s and times in the College are: Ground Floor only in the Inner Link at break (11.20am am) and lunch (12.55pm 1.40pm). Restaurant am am and 12.55pm 1.40pm Restaurant Terrace am am and 12.55pm 1.40pm Sixth Form students may also use their mobile phones and digital devices in the Sixth Form Centre at all times. During the times when mobile phones and digital devices must be switched off and kept out of sight, pupils are expected to make use of the College s office phones for emergency contact. If parents/carers have an emergency and need to contact their child, then they should do this through the normal college channels. This is by phoning college reception. The College will then be responsible for giving the message to the pupil. Similarly, if a pupil needs to contact home, then they can do so by going to Pupil Reception. Please note that mobile phones are NOT permitted in lessons as part of a learning activity. Examinations Mobile phones are not permitted in examinations under any circumstances and failure to comply could result in disqualification from the examination and the overall qualification. Trips and Off-site Activities The use of mobile telephones on off-site activities is only permitted at the direction of the teacher leading the activity. He/she may indicate that their use is permissible only at certain times or for certain purposes or, indeed, that they may not be brought at all. Full information will be provided before each such activity by the trip leader. Consequences of Misuse of Mobile Phones and Digital Devices FIRST OCCASION OF MISUSE If a mobile phone or digital device is seen or heard on site during the course of the normal college day, for any reason or purpose, then: the item will be confiscated by the member of staff and, as soon as practically possible and no later than by 3.15pm on the day of confiscation, placed in safe keeping in the main office the item may be collected by the pupil at the end of that college day On collection, the pupil will be issued with a letter addressed to the parent/carer with an attached reply acknowledgment slip. The letter will inform the parent of the misuse of their son s/daughter s mobile phone/digital device and confiscation. The parent will be informed that any repeat offence in the future will result in confiscation of the item for collection by the parent/carer only. REPEAT/SUBSEQUENT MISUSE Page 5 of 7

6 The item will be confiscated by the member of staff and, as soon as practically possible, and no later than 3.15pm, placed in safe keeping in the main office The parent/carer will then be contacted by the main office and informed that the telephone has been confiscated. The item is to be collected by the parent/carer only. IMPORTANT NOTE In normal circumstances, the item will be available for collection from main reception during college office hours (8.00am-4.30pm). The College recognises that it is often inconvenient for a parent/carer to collect a confiscated item. However, pupils must accept full responsibility for misuse resulting in confiscation. Where an item is confiscated the issue should be between the parent and the pupil. The vast majority of pupils and parents/carers are always respectful and polite. In the unlikely event that college staff experience problems or suffer any kind of abuse when dealing with pupils or parents/carers, then the confiscated item will be forwarded to the Principal or Vice-Principal for collection by the parent/carer by prior appointment only. Refusal to hand over a phone when reasonably requested by a member of staff will result in the College s behaviour sanctions being implemented. Repeated misuse of a mobile phone or digital device will be treated as persistent violation of college rules and will result in the College s behaviour sanctions being implemented. Serious Misuse or Offence The majority of indiscipline and poor behaviour in college is low level, and this is also the case for misuse of mobile phones and digital devices. However, use of such items in bullying, harassment and more serious general misbehaviour, including incidents of assault, will be taken seriously and dealt with in line the College s Behaviour Policy. In responding to incidents of this nature, the College will confiscate such items and reserve the right to return the item to the parent/carer only. The use of mobile phones or digital devices to record photographic or video images on the College site is not allowed. Pupils must obtain permission from the Principal or a senior member of staff to record any photographic or video images. Downloading or forwarding indecent or pornographic images is forbidden and may constitute a criminal offence. Similarly, a call or message that is grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing also constitutes an offence under the Communications Act Where a mobile phone or digital device has been used to commit an offence or may have record of that offence (for example, in cases where an incident that has been filmed which might be deemed an assault or breach of the peace), then the item should be confiscated, retained in a secure place and logged by an appropriate member of staff, taking care not to delete any images or recordings which could be used as evidence. The item would normally be handed over to the police. Accurate records of any relevant complaints or incidents should be kept and signed, where appropriate, by teachers/witnesses. Page 6 of 7

7 If a child protection issue is suspected, then Social Services and any other appropriate agencies will also be informed. In all cases, the college will work with the police, social services or other appropriate agencies until the matter is resolved. In all cases of serious misuse or offence, parents will be informed by Head of Year or a senior member of staff. Responsible Use Mobile Phone and Digital Devices The College expects parents and carers to take responsibility for ensuring that they show their children how to use new mobile phone devices responsibly. This includes classifying unsuitable content; setting appropriate filters for internet access; notification and take-down provisions for illegal content; action against unsolicited bulk communications; adapting procedures to counter malicious communications; and media literacy activities. The College will educate and promote safe and responsible use of such items through personal development lessons, assemblies and tutorials. Pupils and parents are also advised to consult with the College s guidance on network safety. Page 7 of 7