Les Beaucamps High bans use of phones

The debate arose after Les Beaucamps High School decided that pupils would not be able to use any mobile devices during school hours, starting this term – becoming the first States school to sanction the rule in the island.

The rules for the ban say that pupils will not be able to use a device in school during lessons, break time and lunchtime.

Pupils that bring a phone to school should have it switched off and in their bag.

If pupils use a phone or iPad it will be automatically confiscated.

And if pupils need to phone parents during the school day, they can use the phone in the school office.

The school made this decision jointly with parents and staff.

Their aim was to help pupils to concentrate in lessons without interruption or distraction, reduce cyber bullying and to protect their mental health.

The decision has been met with a mixed reaction from island parents.

Lisa Newson said she thought the ban was a good idea.

‘Although I wouldn’t be happy if my child got reprimanded for calling me whilst hiding or crying in the toilets.

‘For some situations, I think they should be allowed, but maybe do it privately during breaks if need be.’

Shelley Tansell said she would like to see the ban cover both staff and students.

‘I would like to see no phones allowed on school premises, there is an office phone after all,’ she said.

‘My work has no mobiles during our shifts, they are in our lockers before work and after our shift we take them out.

‘We have five children of all ages and in an emergency they can contact the office and it works for us.’

Whereas Kelley Holden said there should be better ruling, without a ban.

‘If a child suffers anxiety it’s a safety net that they can call someone when needed,’ she said.

‘They should be on silent or off during lessons, only used during breaks.

‘If it was being abused, teachers should be allowed to remove [the device] and put [it] in a locked drawer.

‘Trust works both ways, the child not to abuse having a phone in school, but teachers need to trust pupils too.’

A study by the London School of Economics in 2015 found that a ban on mobiles in schools had the effect of giving pupils an extra week’s education over a year, while test scores rose by 6%.

Blanchelande College principal Robert O’Brien said he recommends a school environment free of devices.

‘We have a long-standing policy of pupils being allowed to bring their phones to school but keeping them switched off and out of sight throughout the school day,’ he said.

‘Our students generally appreciate that this enables them to better focus on learning and forming strong and positive relationships with those around them.

‘When I tell parents our policy the response is uniformly one of support and appreciation.

‘Though it requires firm resolve, I would certainly recommend a school environment free of personal devices.’

• Les Beaucamps School declined to comment on the matter.