School bans mobile phones following rise in 'illegal' pupil behaviour
Pupils will be told to keep devices in bags
Pupils at a North Ayrshire school are set to lose access to their mobile phones as the head brings in a crackdown on handheld devices in a bid to tackle violent incidents.
A letter sent to parents of children attending Largs Academy last week outlined the new mobile phone policy in a bid to improve a recent bad showing in exam results.
The new rules will see students told their smartphone and accompanying headphones are “not to be seen, heard or used” at any time whilst in the school building.
This will include intervals, lunchtime, movement between classes and before the bell goes at the beginning of the day.
Youngsters can still use their devices outside the school at break time and during lunch.
Cara McKee from Largs Academy Parents Council admits despite pupils expressing their dismay at the incoming new standards, the majority of adults have welcomed the move.
She told West FM: “It’s a six-month trial at the moment and then we will see what changes will be made.
“But private schools have mobile phone bans and they get good results for their pupils.
“We want to get the best results that we can get for our pupils going forward, academically, but also for their wellbeing, so it seems like a sensible thing for the school to do.
“The parent council is behind them.”
In the letter sent to parents, seen by West FM, the school explains 96 per cent of staff said the current phone policy amongst students wasn’t fit for purpose during a recent in-service day.
It also blames phones for worse than average Higher exam results.
It reads: “Last session, our SQA results at Higher Level were significantly below our usual trends and comparator schools.”
Before adding: “Over the past 12 months, there has been an increase of antisocial behaviour across the school linked to mobile phone usage.
“This illegal behaviour includes bullying on social media, inciting violent incidents on social media, filming violent incidents on social media, recording other pupils and/or members of staff without their consent.”
The new guidance will come into force on May 7th.
North Ayrshire Council have been approached for comment.