Blackpool Aspire Academy Mobile Phone Policy

Aspire Academy Mobile Phone & Device Policy Students are allowed to bring mobile phones and devices into the Academy. However, under normal circumstances they must not use them in lessons or in other structured activities and the following policy and procedures must apply:We believe that Aspire Academy students should be fully focused on learning during the time they are in school.

Students are only permitted to bring their mobile phones into the Academy if they comply fully with the Academy policy. If a student does not comply with the Academy Mobile Phone & Device Policy they are deemed to be bringing an unauthorised item and as such the Academy will have legal authority to confiscate it.  Students are actively encouraged to:  Bring only relatively inexpensive phones to Aspire (phones less than £100).  Mark their phones e.g. using an ultra-violet marker pen available from student services.  Phones must be switched off or on ‘silent’ with ‘vibrate’ off when in class.  If a student gets a phone out without permission, the student will be asked to place their phone into the hand of the teacher who will store it in a secure place.  The teacher will return the phone at the end of the lesson.  If a student refuses to hand in their phone when asked, the consequence system will be followed.  SIMs behaviour logs will be tracked. Where there is persistent misuse (3 or more times/half term) of a mobile phone, the student will lose their right to bring a mobile phone into Aspire Academy and will be told that the phone will remain off the premises. This sanction will remain in place for the remainder of that half term.

If this behaviour becomes habitual, the length of ban will be determined by the Principal or Vice Principal responsible for behaviour.  If a class is being taught by a student teacher, the assigned teacher will take responsibility for collecting and returning phones.  This policy will be followed by Aspire teachers, teaching assistants, caseworkers, and cover supervisors.  In lessons covered by external supply staff this policy will not apply.  Consistency is critical; every member of staff and student in every lesson must adhere to this policy.

It is important for teachers to emphasise to students that they are here to learn and when in class they should not be distracted by mobile phones.

There are occasions when students will be given permission during lesson time to use their phones to record / film activities taking place for the explicit purposes of the lesson.

During unstructured times e.g. Break / Lunchtimes students may use their phones. Students must not use their Mobile Phone for taking photographs / recording images of any kind.

There are also very strict rules regarding mobile phones (and MP3 Players, iPods and similar equipment) in relation to examinations. These rules will be fully explained to all students at

the appropriate times. Failure to follow instructions can lead to disqualification from examinations.

The security of the mobile phone (and other similar equipment) is the responsibility of each individual student and the Academy will not take responsibility for any loss/damage to phones that are not held within our safekeeping.

When conducting Physical Education, students will be required to hand in their mobile phones to the teacher in charge. If students do not adhere to this, the Academy will take no responsibility for any loss/damage to any mobile device.

It is strongly advised that students use passwords/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other students or if stolen).

Using mobile phones to bully and threaten other students is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Any misuse of this kind will be dealt with using the Academy behaviour policy.

Parents and carers are respectfully asked not to ring their child during lesson times.

October 2014 Review: January 2015