A HEADMASTER in Dursley is asking pupils, parents and staff if they think mobile phones should be banned in school.

Schools’ minister Nick Gibb says they should be, so Rednock School head David Alexander decided to involve the whole school community in a debate on the matter.

Mr Gibb believes that too much time on smartphones is bad for students, distracting them from their work and preventing them from interacting with others as often as he feels they should.

Following the minister’s comments, students, staff, parents and carers at Rednock have been discussing some of the benefits and the drawbacks.

And the school even published a survey on its website, to make sure everyone has a chance to comment.

“The results of the survey will then inform the next stage, which is to weigh up the pros and cons and decide upon a sensible policy around the use of mobiles in school,” said Mr Alexander.

There is currently no nationwide rule about phones in schools, it is up to individual headteachers.

They can ban phones if they want, but many say that phones and apps can be useful tools for learning and organisation in the classroom.

“It is an interesting debate,” said Mr Alexander.

“Mobile devices have become part of our everyday lives.

“Thinking about my own usage, I was struck by how much I use mine.

“And what, for example, about the year 7 I just came across in the corridor, using his phone to check his timetable?

“Against that, we have the shocking statistics of mental health issues arising out of the need for perfection, the need to fit in, the need to have as many ‘likes’ or ‘friends’ as possible.

“But I cannot see a world so used to having a mobile device to support everyday life turning away from them completely.

“It is not something which can be decided without a clear and reasoned discussion, hence the need to hear everyone’s views.”

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