Birmingham Head backs school phone ban as law change considered
“They don’t need them in school,” headteacher says
A Birmingham headteacher says mobile phones should not be used in schools, as plans are discussed to make bans a legal requirement.
Nigel Attwood from Bellfield Junior School says he agrees with restrictions during the school day, arguing pupils “don’t need them during the day” as everything required for learning is already provided in the classroom.
He says at his school, phones are only allowed for older pupils travelling independently, and are locked away at the start of the day.
“They put it straight into their pouch… the box is locked away… done within five minutes per class,” he explains, adding the system is “quite easy” to manage.
Mr Attwood says phones can lead to safeguarding concerns, including “inappropriate recordings” and pupils “showing things to each other” during breaks, which can cause disruption.
“I’ve always felt that there isn’t a need for the phones to be actually in the school… after they’ve come through the front door,” he says.
On proposals to make bans mandatory, he says most schools already have rules in place, but making it law could help reduce disputes with parents.
“If it is a legal requirement… it causes less arguments with the parents and the school anyway,” he says.
Mr Attwood adds that while there is evidence of benefits to smartphone use, there are also concerns about harm and distraction.
“If everybody has the same treatment… then all they’re concentrating on is on the learning rather than the phone in their pocket,” he says.