Mobile Phone-Free School Day

At Cromer Academy, we are committed to providing a calm, safe and focused learning environment for all pupils. We support a mobile phone-free school day and do not believe that mobile phones have a place in secondary school during the school day. Mobile phones can distract pupils from learning and can contribute to issues associated with social media, bullying, photography, video recording and online communication. 

Our strong advice is that pupils do not bring a mobile phone or smartwatch to school unless it is required for their journey to and from school. 

Expectations

Where a pupil brings a mobile phone or smartwatch to school, they must:

• Switch the device off before entering the school site. 

• Keep the device out of sight at all times.

• Not use the device anywhere on the school site. 

• Not use the device during lessons, social times, movement between lessons, enrichment activities or after-school clubs. 

• Ensure smartwatches are not used to send or receive calls, messages or notifications.

Confiscation of Mobile Phones

Any mobile phone that is seen, heard or used during the school day may be confiscated by a member of staff. Pupils may also receive an appropriate school sanction. 

Confiscated devices will be stored securely and returned in accordance with the school's Mobile Phone Procedures.

As a minimum, the school may retain a confiscated phone until the end of the school week. 

Example: If a phone is confiscated on Tuesday afternoon, it may be retained securely by the school until Friday after school. It will not be returned at the end of Tuesday and then brought back into school on Wednesday. The phone will remain in the school's possession until the designated collection time.

Repeated breaches of this policy may result in additional sanctions and parental meetings where appropriate.

Contacting Pupils During the School Day

Parents and carers should not call or message pupils during the school day. If there is an urgent need to contact a pupil, parents should contact the school office and a member of staff will ensure that the message is passed on. 

If a pupil needs to contact home during the school day, they should speak to a member of staff who will arrange appropriate support. 

Exceptions

There may be a small number of pupils who require access to a mobile phone for medical, educational or safeguarding reasons. Any such arrangement must be agreed in advance with the school and will be considered on an individual basis. 

Working Together

We ask parents and carers to support this policy by:

• Encouraging pupils to leave mobile phones at home whenever possible.

• Not contacting pupils directly during the school day.

• Reminding pupils of the school's expectations.

• Supporting the school when sanctions are issued for breaches of this policy. 

We believe that reducing access to mobile phones during the school day helps pupils focus on learning, build positive relationships and participate fully in school life