From 1st September 2022, children are no longer permitted to bring smart phones on to the school site at any time. The only device children are permitted to bring into school is an old-fashioned mobile with the capacity for phone calls / text messages only; it must not be a smart phone. Smart watches may be worn to school but must have cellular capability de-activated when on site, they must also have no camera or sound recording features.
All phones will continue to be handed in to the class teacher at the start of the day, switched off, and returned at the end of the day. Should a smart phone come into school, we will retain the device until the parent is able to collect this from our front office.
If there are exceptional circumstances where you feel it is essential your child brings a smart phone to school, you can apply for approval from the Headteacher via a form that can be collected from our front office. Children should not bring smart phones on site without prior approval from the Headteacher, via the exceptional circumstances form.
This decision was taken after consultation with children, staff, parents and governors. This consultation was driven by a rise in the number of primary age children nationally, and at Avonwood, suffering from friendship issues and safeguarding concerns linked to smart phone use.
Letter to parents
Exceptional Circumstances Form