30.1.2012
NOTICE TO PARENTS/CARERS REGARDING SCHOOL DISCIPLINE & BEHAVIOUR
Dear Parents/Carers,
I feel that I must write to you all again regarding the issue of mobile phones in school.
As a school, under our Statutory Powers as set out in the Education Act 1996, Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the New Education Act, we have the rights to decide what constitutes a banned item within school.
Mobile phones are a possible distraction during teaching time as they may ring and disturb the learning of the whole class. They are also a possible safeguarding issue as phones have been used by children in other schools to facilitate cyber bullying and the taking of inappropriate, sexual, images. Mobile phones are also a costly item and therefore temptations for thieves or for possible damage, both of which the school would not be able to take responsibility for. A parent/carer may think that a mobile phone gives them access to their child, however, if a parent/carer needs to speak to a child this should be directed through the school office. It is therefore this schools stated policy that there is no legitimate reason for a child to require a mobile phone in school and a mobile phone constitutes one of our banned items.
Schools’ general power to discipline, as set out in Section 91 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, enables a member of staff / school to confiscate, retain or dispose of a pupil’s property as a disciplinary penalty.
At Peterhouse we have made it clear that any mobile phone found on the school premises with a child will, under these regulations, be confiscated and returned after a fixed period of up to 1 week. The phone will only be returned upon collection by a parent.
Confiscated items are switched off and stored in the school safe.
As headteacher I will, of course, use my discretion in these matters and should it be a first time or a genuine accident then it is likely the phone will be returned to the parent/carer in the evening.
Regards,
Martin Scott
Headteacher
