Headteachers have criticised education secretary Gavin Williamson’s approach to mobile phones as “outdated and out of touch”.
In response to a government consultation on pupil behaviour, the Association of School and College Leaders has said that Mr Williamson should end his “fixation” with banning mobile phones in classrooms.
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“ASCL believes strongly that the use of mobile phones during the school day should be determined by school leaders, who are best placed to decide on the impact of these decisions on their pupils’ learning and wellbeing,” the response said.
The consultation opened on 29 June and ended last week, on 10 August.
When it got under way, Mr Williamson said: “Mobile phones are not just distracting but, when misused or overused, they can have a damaging effect on a pupil’s mental health and wellbeing. I want to put an end to this, making the school day mobile-free.”
Julie McCulloch, director of policy at ASCL, said Mr Williamson’s view on mobile phones was “outdated and out of touch” with the reality in schools and colleges.
“School and college leaders are slightly mystified about the education secretary’s fixation with banning mobile phones in classrooms because they have been dealing with the practicalities of this issue for many years now,” she said.
“Many already ask students to keep phones in their bags during the academic day and others have positive policies in place that allow young people to make limited use of their phones to aid their learning or capture important information.
“For other learners, a mobile phone is an essential safety measure, especially children in the care system, and for young carers, a mobile phone might be needed to provide essential support to parents.”
ASCL’s response said that members had expressed concerns over a blanket ban on mobile phones, with some feeding back that Year 7 students need be educated about the safe use of phones.
“Where they are banned, it becomes even more important that they are encouraged as part of PSHE and RSE to consider the safe use of social media, and are able to recognise and report online harms,” the consultation response says.
“Our view remains that schools and colleges already have strong tried and tested policies and they are best placed to make their own decisions on how mobile phone use impacts pupils’ learning and wellbeing,” Ms McCulloch added.
