Mobile phones in school

In recent months there has been growing awareness of the harmful effects of smartphones on young people’s mental health and well-being. New research has received extensive media coverage and thousands of parents have joined national campaigns such as the Smartphone Free Childhood, in a bid to delay giving smartphones to their children.

It is not an easy decision for parents to make, as outlined in this article here. 17 out of 20 secondary schools in Southwark have made a collective decision to support the movement and a number of local primary schools have also made the decision to say no to smartphones, including Gayhurst, near London Fields.

The Smartphone Free Childhood movement believe:

• that childhood is fleeting and precious
• in letting kids be kids
• technology should be a force for good
• that companies that profit from children must respect childhood
• that parents should be empowered to parent in an online world
• change starts with all of us

As a school we support this movement and many of our parents and carers have joined the William Patten Smartphone Free Childhood WhatsApp group, a group administered by William Patten parents to promote the movement and offer support. So far 41 families have signed the Smartphone Free Childhood Parent Pledge to delay giving their child(ren) a smartphone until at least the end of Year 9.  You can sign up here, https://parentpactresults.smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/londoneast#williampattenprimaryschool

To find out more information and or join the WP SFC group, click on the link https://chat.whatsapp.com/HptVBZAhQZzGeIjDMor2cC

Mobile Phone Policy 2024 - 26

As a school, we have not allowed children to bring phones into school for a number of years, unless there are exceptional circumstances and agreed in advance with the Headteacher. On the very rare occasions that children are allowed to bring phones into school, phones are kept in the school office and can only be collected at the end of the school day.  We have recently introduced a mobile phone policy to include guidance for staff, children and visitors:

Mobile Phone Policy 2024-26

For more advice, support and information, visit:

https://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/

https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers/phones

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65cf5f2a4239310011b7b916/Mobile_phones_in_schools_guidance.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65cf5f644239310011b7b917/Creating_a_mobile_phone-free_school_environment.pdf

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/mobile-phone-safety/