Mobile Phones

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Mobile Phone Update

Over the past twelve months, the Potteries Educational Trust has undertaken extensive research into the move towards mobile phone‑free schools. The information attached will update you on our progress and to outline the next steps for Moorside High School.

During this period, Mr Goodwin and I have worked closely with four schools that have successfully implemented mobile phone‑free policies. This collaborative work has ensured that we have developed a clear understanding of effective implementation, best practice, and how to navigate potential challenges.

This decision aligns fully with the Department for Education’s updated non‑statutory guidance (February 2026) and with the feedback provided by parents during our Parent Forum held earlier in the year which all parents and carers were invited to attend.

The DfE guidance states:

“All schools should be mobile phone‑free environments by default; anything other than this should be by exception only.”

As a result of this work, we are now in a position to confirm that Moorside High School will become a mobile phone‑free school from September 2026, when students return from the summer holidays. Further information, evidence based research, next steps and frequently asked questions below.

LETTER TO PARENTS

More Information About Mobile Phone Changes

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PRESENTATION ABOUT PHONE CHANGES

More Information About Mobile Phone Changes

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for Parents

1. Why has the school introduced a no mobile phone policy?

We have two main objectives:

A) To improve the mental health of our young people

B) To ensure a calm and orderly, disruption-free environment is maintained

There is a significant amount of national and international research that suggests there is a clear link between the ongoing teenage mental health crisis and mobile phones, our students mental health is really important to us and we are passionate about doing important to address this crisis.

There is also a range of research in place that suggests that learning and attention in the classroom is disrupted by the distraction of mobile phones. By removing this distraction, we believe, that our students will benefit gratefully both inside and outside the classroom.
2. When does the mobile phone ban apply?
3. How will the school manage students' mobile phones?

At the start of the day, all students’ mobile phones will be collected during tutor time and placed into a secure, locked box. Each student will be allocated a numbered compartment for their phone. The box will be securely stored during the day, and students will collect their phones from the same box during tutor time at the end of the day.
4. Can my child bring a mobile phone to school at all?
5. What happens if a student is caught using their phone during school hours?

If a student is caught with a phone during the school day, it will be confiscated, and the student will be sanction in line with policy. Parents/Carers will need to come to the academy to collect the mobile phone. It will not be returned to the student.

If a student is caught with their mobile phone, and they refuse to hand it to the appropriate member of staff, the behaviour policy will be followed, and a carer meeting will take place in the next 24 – 48 hours.
6. How will I contact my child in case of an emergency?

We understand that this will be the main concern for many of our families. In case of an emergency, you can contact the school office, and they will ensure the message is passed to your child promptly. The school will also contact you if there is an urgent need.

We have spent time training our administrative staff over recent months to ensure we can be as efficient and effective as possible, and have increased capacity on our phone lines.
7. What if my child needs to contact me during the school day?
8. Will my child be disadvantaged by not having access to their phone during school hours?

No, the policy is designed to enhance the learning environment. The school will provide all necessary tools and resources for educational purposes, ensuring that students are not disadvantaged. In subjects such as Photography, where some students have used their phones to take photographs, we have invested in new resources to support the students.
9. What if my child has a medical condition that requires phone access?
10. How will this policy impact my child’s social interactions?

The policy encourages face-to-face interaction among students, particularly during lunchtime. It helps foster better communication skills and reduces reliance on technology for socialising. At the moment, the expectations is that mobile phones should be out of sight, however, we are aware that a number of students find it very difficult not to check their phones throughout the day, which often leads the confrontations with staff and sanctions in place for individual students.
11. Are there exceptions for special events or school activities?
12. How will the school ensure that the policy is enforced?

Staff members will monitor student behaviour throughout the day, ensuring that phones are collected and securely stored. Regular reminders will be provided during tutor sessions and assemblies. Staff will also receive training over the next half term and on our INSET day in September on how to support and monitor student effectively.
13. How can I support the school in implementing this policy?

You can support the policy by encouraging your child to follow the rules, discussing the importance of the policy with them, and only contacting them through the school reception in the case of emergency. If your son/daughter is caught with their phone in school, it will be confiscated, and you will need to come to the academy to collect it. It will not be returned to the student; we will need your support with this.
14. What if my child walks home alone and needs their phone for safety reasons?
15. Is the school providing alternative technology for learning or communication?
16. Will their mobile phone be safe in school?
17. What happens if I need to collect my son/daughter during the school day, will they be able to get access to their mobile phone?
18. Will staff be able to use their mobile phones?
19. Will my child be searched if they haven’t handed a phone in?
20. Can my child leave their phone at home?

While this system is carefully managed, parents and students should be aware that bringing a mobile phone into school is at the owner’s own risk. The school cannot accept liability for any loss, theft, or damage to mobile devices.

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