Students in Years 7 and Years 8 are not allowed to have a smartphone with them at school or on the journey to and from school. They are allowed to have a basic mobile phone. Mobile phones should always be turned off and out of sight in school buildings. In Years 9, 10 and 11, students may bring a smartphone into school but again this must be turned off and out of sight in school buildings.

Mobile devices can be used outside of school buildings before school, at break time, at lunch time and after school. Mobile devices can only be used in school buildings with the express permission of a member of staff who must be present during the use of the device. Handheld computer games, music players and similar devices are not allowed to be used within school buildings. Students are strongly advised not to bring expensive electronic devices to school in case they are lost, stolen or damaged. The school will not be held liable for loss or damage of such devices.

Students must not use mobile devices to record audio or visual material in school or on the way to and from school. No material recorded on school premises, or whilst on school trips, or involving students on the way to and from school, should ever be uploaded to social media platforms, or distributed electronically, or in any other way. Nor should any member of the school community, staff or student, be commented upon in any way that could be interpreted as being unkind, discriminatory or offensive on any social media platform or via email or messaging service. The most serious sanctions of internal isolation and exclusion will be used if students misuse mobile technology in this way.

It should be noted that, according to the sites’ terms and conditions, students under the age of 13 should not have social media accounts (e.g. Discord, Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok etc.). The school would appreciate it if parents/carers ensure that their child does not have access to a social media account before they are 13 years old.