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Pembrokeshire schools banned phones
Pembrokeshire County Council was one of the earliest in Wales to create a policy to back this.
The policy was established in response to the difficulties that mobile phones and devices pose to students’ behavior and education.
There is increasing evidence that the unregulated use of mobile phones in schools adversely affects students’ mental well-being and academic development.
It also saps the energy of school personnel who must address the ensuing issues.
Concerns also arise from the dangers of bullying, sexting, or distributing inappropriate messages and images.
After the success Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi experienced with its policy implementation last year, education officials established a working group comprising Local Authority and Schools to create guidelines for confiscating mobile phones during school hours.
Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Milford Haven School, Haverfordwest High, Pembroke Dock Community School, and Gelliswick VC Primary School participated in the committee that created mobile phone guidelines for schools to implement this academic year in Pembrokeshire.
Michele Thomas, Headteacher Stated
Michele Thomas, headteacher of Pembroke Dock Community School, stated: “Establishing good habits in primary school to be mobile free supports the transition into secondary schools with the same policy.“
Nearly all Pembrokeshire schools prohibit the use of mobile phones during the school day, which has helped learners have a clearer focus on their work and reduces distractions.
In addition, the policy reduces the risk of any inappropriate use.
“The policy has been working well and will have long term benefits all round.”
Rachel Thomas, head of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, remarked: “The prohibited use of mobile phones and storage of them during lesson time has changed our entire school community’s safeguarding, wellbeing and learning environment completely.
“My latest mantra is that we live in a society where children are banned from playing conkers but are allowed mobile phones and online devices which put their safeguarding, wellbeing and childhood at risk.”
Resources have been designated to assist schools with the logistics of phone removal, including storage solutions.
All secondary schools in Pembrokeshire are currently applying or preparing to adopt the policy guidance this year.
Assistant Head Sean Thomas Said
Sean Thomas, the assistant head of behaviour, culture, and ethos at Milford Haven School, stated: “As a school, we anticipated this policy being challenging to implement, at least for the first few weeks.”
“However, the pupils, staff and parents have bought into it fantastically, it has been a huge success.”
“Pupils and staff have all commented on an increased focus during lessons, less distractions and a calmer environment.”
The prefect team, communications team, and headteacher worked together to produce an engaging and informative video for social media, responding to worries regarding the new mobile phone policy following the pupil voice session to ensure students felt recognized and knowledgeable about the upcoming changes.
Headteacher Ceri-Ann Morris
Headteacher Ceri-Ann Morris stated: “I am extremely proud of how our pupils have embraced this positive change.”
“Listening to our pupil voice prior to implementing the new policy has been instrumental in its success as their input and cooperation have helped shape a smoother, more positive transition for everyone.”
“The prefect team did a wonderful job addressing concerns from our pupil voice in a fantastic video that was released to parents and pupils prior to the new policy being in place.”
“We have seen tremendous positive impact in classrooms as pupils are more focused and an increase in social interactions at break.”
“The feedback from staff, parents, and pupils has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Councillor Guy Woodham, the cabinet member responsible for education and the Welsh language of Pembrokeshire, stated: “Our schools are leading the way in improving safety and learning for their learners, this mobile phone policy supports them in this work to protect young people.”
“I’d like to thank all those involved in developing and implementing this new and effective policy.”
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