Secretary of State for Education Supports Peregrinate Stance

Secretary of State for Education Supports Peregrinate Stance

Turn Mobiles Off Turn Learning On!

One of the main risk areas with young people these days is the misuse of mobile phones and devices. Nowhere are these problems felt more deeply than in schools. Apart from the obvious distractions, the misuse of social media, posting of inappropriate text and often pictures and videos, bullying, threats and abuse unfortunately now come from mobile phones or devices. In January 2021 Peregrinate School placed a ban on mobiles and devices on school premises. We knew this was going to be an unpopular directive and we called upon parents, guardians and carers to support us in this move.

Initially some learners decided to test the rules and smuggled mobile phones and devices into school. Unfortunately for them, so addicted to their phones were they, the phones very quickly became obvious and were duly confiscated.

Thankfully, now, all learners agree that school is a better, safer place without mobiles and devices and that their attention has improved during lessons.

Peregrinate School have always had a Mobile Phone Policy restricting the use of mobiles and devices during the school day. The total lack of mobiles however is a huge improvement.

Today, The Secretary of State for Education has followed our lead and supported us in our endeavours to ban mobiles and devices from school premises.

Since January learners have had the option to either leave their mobiles at home or to hand them in to the school office where they are placed in a faraday bag for safekeeping until home time. There may obviously be occasions where contact needs to be made with a learner and we recognise this. Parents, guardians or carers can contact the school main landline, safeguarding lead or headteacher who will gladly allow access to the learner as needed.

Despite initial averseness to the new procedure, everyone at Peregrinate School, including learners, agree that this has been a worthwhile exercise from which we have all benefitted.

Thumbs Up From Everyone
Thumbs Up From Everyone