Use of Personal Devices & Mobile Phones Policy

Approved January 2021

Next Review January 202

Personal Devices (e.g. Mobile Phones) Policy

Co-op Academy Woodslee recognises that personal communication through mobile technologies is an accepted part of everyday life for learners, staff and parents/carers, but technologies need to be  used safely and appropriately within our school.

‘Personal devices’ include mobile phones, smart watches, tablets, iPods, MP3 players, and games  consoles.

1. General Expectations  

1.1. All use of personal devices will take place in accordance with the law and other appropriate  policies, including Acceptable Use, Anti-bullying, Behaviour, Safeguarding, Confidentiality,  Privacy Notices and Employee Code of Conduct.  

1.2. Mobile phones and personal devices are not permitted to be used in specific areas within  schools/learning such as changing rooms, toilets, playgrounds and swimming pools.  

1.3. The Trust accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.  

1.4. Electronic devices must not be used to  

∙ Record, take or share images, video and audio (unless using school devices for  educational purposes);  

∙ Store and/access inappropriate/undesirable imagery or material, including those which  promote pornography, violence or bullying of any description or which may be offensive,  derogatory or otherwise contravene Trust or school Behaviour, Safeguarding or Code of  Conduct policies;  

∙ Record, take or share any images, video and audio of other students or staff at school ∙ ∙ ∙ Send abusive or inappropriate messages or content  

2. Pupil Use of Personal Devices and Mobile Phones

2.1. Pupils will be educated regarding the safe and appropriate use of personal devices and  mobile phones and will be made aware of boundaries and consequences.  

2.2. Personal Devices should only access the internet via school Wi-Fi networks to ensure  appropriate and relevant filtering is in place. Unauthorised use of networks or attempts to  circumnavigate networks may result in access being withdrawn. Where use of mobile  networks (e.g. 4G) is used to circumnavigate appropriate filters, permission to use personal  devices may be withdrawn.  

2.3. In primary schools, pupils are encouraged not to bring mobile devices to school. If they do, they will be handed in to the school office at the beginning of the day for safe-keeping,locked in a cupboard and released at the end of the day. Mobile phones must be switched off all day. Pupils’ personal devices and mobile phones must be used in accordance with local procedures.

2.4. Mobile phones or personal devices will not be used by pupils during lessons or formal  educational time unless as part of an approved and directed curriculum-based activity with  consent from a member of staff.

2.5. Mobile phones and personal devices must not be taken into examinations. Pupils found in  possession of a mobile phone or personal device during an exam will be reported to the  appropriate examining body. This may result in the withdrawal from either that examination  or all examinations.

2.6. Staff may confiscate a pupil’s mobile phone or device if they believe it is being used to  contravene the Trust’s Behaviour or Anti bullying policy or could contain youth produced  sexual imagery (sexting).  

2.7. Searches of mobile phone or personal devices may be carried out, in accordance with the  DfE “Searching, screening and confiscation at school” guidance document online. This gives Head teachers and staff authorised by them a statutory power to search pupils or their  possessions, without consent, where they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that the  pupil may have pornographic images or images likely to cause personal injury to any person  (including the pupil), or any other content prohibited in this policy. School staff are expected  to read and follow the guidance above, in particular Section 15 relating to Statutory  guidance for dealing with electronic devices.

2.8. If a pupil breaches this policy, devices may be confiscated. They will be stored securely  and released to parents/carers at the end of the day.

2.9. If there is suspicion that material on a pupil’s personal device or mobile phone may be  illegal or may provide evidence relating to a criminal offence, the device will be handed over  to the police for further investigation.

2.10. The Trust accepts no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen or damaged mobile phones.  The Trust accepts no responsibility for pupils who lose or have their mobile phones stolen  while travelling to and from school.

3. Staff Use of Personal Devices and Mobile Phones

3.1. Staff are advised to

3.1.1. keep mobile phones and personal devices switched off or ‘silent’ mode in a safe and  secure place during lesson time. This applies to watches linked to phones.

3.1.2. ensure that Bluetooth or other forms of communication (such as ‘airdrop’) are hidden  or disabled during lesson times.  

3.1.3. not use personal devices during teaching periods, unless permission has been  given by the head teacher, such as in emergency circumstances.  

3.1.4. ensure that any content brought onto site via mobile phones and personal devices are  compatible with their professional role and expectations.  

3.2. Members of staff are not permitted to use their own personal phones or devices for contacting  learners or parents and carers.

3.3. Staff will not use personal devices to take photos or videos of learners and will only use work provided equipment for this purpose.  

3.4. If a member of staff breaches this policy, action will be taken in line with the Trust’s Employee Code of Conduct Policy.

3.5. If a member of staff is thought to have illegal content saved or stored on a mobile phone or  personal device or have committed a criminal offence, the police will be contacted.

3.6. Members of staff will have access to a work phone, where contact with learners or parents/  carers is required. All staff will be issued with a work email address.  

3.7. School devices must be suitably protected via a passcode/ pin and must only be accessed or used by members of staff.  

3.8. The Trust reserves the right to search the content of any electronic device on officially  provided devices at any time as part of routine monitoring.

4. Visitors’ Use of Personal Devices and Mobile Phones  

4.1. Parents/carers and visitors (including volunteers and contractors) are requested not to use  their phones in areas where pupils are present. Phones should be kept in bags, unless  permission has been given e.g. contractors using phones for servicing.  

4.2. Personal devices must be used in accordance with our acceptable use policy and other  associated policies, such as: anti-bullying, behaviour, safeguarding and image use.  

4.3. We will ensure appropriate signage and information is displayed and provided to inform  parents, carers and visitors of expectations of use.

4.4. Members of staff are expected to challenge visitors if they have concerns and will always  inform the DSL (or deputy) or head teacher of any breaches of this policy.