Cowes Enterprise College (CEC) have decided to “prohibit the use of mobile phones during the college day” from the beginning of next month.
Parents were invited to attend one-to-one sessions earlier this week at the school to better understand the reasons behind the ban.
Listening to the evidence
Principal, John Peckham, told OnTheWight this afternoon,
“We have decided after some deliberation, to fall into line with the majority of schools on the Island and across the country, who encourage their students to text and message less and talk and study more!
“The evidence grows stronger that this is good for relationships, good for behaviour and good for results.”
Phones being used “inappropriately”
At present the pupils are allowed to use mobile phones during break and lunch time, but not in lessons. As with some of the other schools on the Island, any phone used in lessons leads to the phones being confiscated until the end the day.
However, a message posted to the school’s Website explained that concerns about the inappropriate use of mobile phones by pupils had been raised.
The inappropriate use included:
- Students using their own 3G or 4G internet connection to bypass the academy’s internet filters and access inappropriate material which can then be shared with others.
- Posting of images and messages during the day to humiliate or intimidate other students.
- Communicating with a group to congregate and bully another student.
Improved behaviour in test pilot
The statement on the School’s Website explained that in a trial period removing phones from a group of pupils at the beginning of the day had resulted in improved behaviour and better atmosphere for all pupils.
It stated,
We also value our communication with parents and feel that it is inappropriate for parents to hear of incidents relating to their children occurring before the academy has had a chance to make contact. There have been occasions where this has happened and it has caused unnecessary distress due to the inaccuracy of the information being relayed to the parent. We don’t want this to happen.
We have already used this approach with some groups of students (previously involved in some of the incidents described above) who have handed in their phones in at the beginning of the day and collected them at the end. The atmosphere and behaviour in and out of lessons improved substantially.
Welcomed at other schools
When Medina College banned the use of mobile phones at the beginning of school year, it was widely accepted by pupils and parents as a good move.
Parents wishing to find out more about the CEC ban should visit the Cowes Enterprise College Website.
Image: Dean Jarvey under CC BY 2.0
