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Mobile Phones

Oakley School supports the Smartphone Free Childhood.
 
Smartphones are disturbing our children's learning in school
As educators we are seeing the detrimental effects of their use on students' ability to focus in lessons and around the school site. We have implemented a new policy this academic year that recognises the benefits of many learning apps but also tries to keep our young people safe and healthy.
 
What has triggered the review of Mobile Phone policies across schools?
Oakley School has always expected students to not use mobile phones during the school day.  From September 2025 we made this policy even clearer - all internet-enabled devices including phones and smartwatches but be off and in a student's bag, not on their person.  From September 2025 Oakley also placed a ban on smartphones for the new Y7s as a prohibited item, this will be rolled out year by year for each new intake of students.
 
What is the damaging impact of social media on children?
Since smartphones, the selfie camera and then social media apps such as Instagram and Tik Tok became common in 2010, teenage mental health issues have soared, and this is clearly felt in all secondary schools.
The main issues around students’ use of smartphones and social media are:
  • Screen time: The number of hours students spend on their mobile phone indicates addiction, especially when considered with how many “pickups” they use too.
  • Unhappiness: Increases in unhappiness correlates closely with the huge increase in the amount of time children are spending on screen and online (particularly social media apps).
  • Sleep deprivation: Today’s children sleep less and have reduced attention spans.
  • Online safety: Children can easily access material that could be emotionally harmful and which is not suitable for children.
  • Self-Image: Children continually compare themselves to content online and this can be hazardous to their self-image.
Headlines
 Y7: Smartphones and smart watches are prohibited items.
  • Students are not allowed to bring smartphones or smart watches to Oakley School.
  • Students are allowed to bring certain “brick/dumb phones” into school as long as it's kept off and in their bag.
  • If a Y7 student is seen with a smartphone or smart watch on their belonging, it is to beconfiscated as a prohibited item, and the parent will have to come to school to collect the item.
Y8-9: Smartphones and smart watches are never seen or heard. They are turned off and in bags or lockers at all times.
  • Students are not allowed to have phones in their pocket or their blazer, it has to be kept in the student’s bag or locker at all times.
  • Students are not allowed to use their smartphones at any time during the school day, including break time / lunchtime, in subject lessons or during form time.
  • Smart watches are treated the same as smart phones and should be kept off and in bags throughout the day.
  • If a phone is seen or heard, it is confiscated and placed at the office until collection at the end of the school day.
  • If a phone is seen or heard for the second offence in one half term, it is confiscated and placed at the office until collected by a parent.