Sussex school bans mobile phones and smartwatches to cut out 'distractions'
Full video report by ITV News Meridian's Abigail Bracken
A secondary school has announced it will be "mobile phone free", saying they are a distraction to learning.Ark Alexandra Academy in Hastings, Sussex is asking for phones and smartwatches to be left at home with parents or carers.
The new school policy will start from this academic year (September 2024) and the school says bag searches will be carried out, in line with DfE policy.
It also said it looked at alternative options, for pupils to store devices on site, but said the challenge of securing 2,000 phones on a daily basis was not "practicable."
WATCH: A video message from the Vice Principal to parents and carers
In a video message uploaded on the school's YouTube channel, Vice Principal Sarah Butters said: "In response to updated guidance from the Department of Education, and simply because it is the right thing to do, Ark Alexandra will become mobile free from September 2024.
"That means that students must leave their phones at home with their parent or carer. Phones will not be permitted in school at all.
"This rule also applies to other internet enabled devices such as smart watches. The school will not look after devices during the school day as we do not have the resource and cannot take on the liability for the collection and distribution of what would be 1,800 phones.
"Students who carry or conceal devices on their person or in their bag will be in breach of school policy. Bag searches will take place in line with DfE guidance and the school's behavior policy."
Parents have voiced their concerns
The school says it is engaging with families who are finding these adjustments more challenging and supporting individuals where adjustments are necessary.
A statement from Rhys Spiers, Executive Principal, said: "Mobile phones are a distraction to learning and are so often at the core of mental health issues impacting children.
"We want our school to be an environment where healthy relationships, respect and courtesy for one another are hallmarks of our community. "We have proactively communicated with parents and students about the changes to our mobile phone policy, which has already led to a significant uplift in standards across the academy. "We’re actively engaging with families who are finding these adjustments more challenging and supporting individuals where adjustments are necessary.”
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