Government backing for headteachers to ban mobile phones

Headteachers in Scotland will be able to ban mobile phones in schools, but the Scottish Government says a blanket ban would not be "appropriate for feasible".

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said there "are undoubtedly growing behavioural issues associated with mobile phones", as she announced updated guidance on a visit to Stonelaw High School in Rutherglen.

She said the guidance makes clear head teachers will be "empowered to take action up to and including whole school bans" where they believe this to be necessary.

Ms Gilruth said: "The Scottish Government does not intend to dictate approaches to our headteachers - they know better than anyone the specific approach which will work best in their school."

The former modern studies teacher, stressed she would "support any headteacher who decides to institute a ban on mobile phones in their school".

But she insisted: "This decision is one which rests with Scotland's headteachers, who know their pupils and their staff and who we trust to take the best decisions in the interests of their school communities."

Her comments came as the Scottish Government's guidance suggested that policies on "respectful and responsible use of mobile phones" should be drawn up with the involvement of pupils, staff and parents.

Most pupils own a mobile

With almost two thirds (62%) of children aged eight to 11 in Scotland owning a mobile, rising to 96% of 12 to 15-year-olds, the document stressed "mobile technology is an integral part of the lives of children and young people".

However, concerns have been raised about the impact on behaviour, with the guidance adding: "Pupils bringing their own mobile devices into schools can also create challenges."

The guidance stated: "It is evident that mobile devices, when used inappropriately, are causing disruption to pupils' learning and that of their peers."

Previous research has found almost one in three 15-year-olds "reported being distracted using digital devices in most or every maths class", while about a quarter of pupils have been "distracted by other pupils using digital devices".

The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR) from 2023 highlighted an increase in "the abusive use of mobile phones in schools" - with devices used to "bully or harass" pupils and staff, with incidents filmed and posted on social media platforms.

But the publication also set out "some benefits to pupils taking their mobile phones to school" - with the example given of youngsters being able to use them to order school meals.

And it stated: "In light of these factors, it is not considered to be appropriate or feasible to introduce a ban nationally on mobile phones in schools.

The comes as the BISSR research found "challenging behaviour" can be "widespread in secondary school", with issues around students vaping, the use of "misogynistic and explicitly sexualised language" by boys and in school truancy - where pupils go to school but are not in class, instead spending time in corridors, toilets and social areas.

Gilruth said: "Since the last action plan on relationships and behaviour in Scotland's schools was published in 2017, our children and young people have experienced periods of significant challenge, including a global pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis which is causing real difficulty for families across the country.

"There is no doubt this has had a major impact on their schooling and how they learn."

Focus on improving behaviour

Stressing that improving factors such as behaviour and attendance in schools was a top priority, she added the Government had been working with local council leaders in Cosla and others.

This has resulted in a new action plan which "contains a series of steps to be taken which will ensure that both pupils and staff are safe and supported", Ms Gilruth said.

She added: "This new guidance empowers head teachers to take the steps they see fit for their school to limit the use of mobile phones, including a full ban on the school estate if they feel that is required and I would encourage teachers to take all the steps they feel necessary to combat these issues."

Tony Buchanan, Cosla's spokesperson for children and young people, said: "Ensuring children and young people feel supported, safe and ready to learn is of vital importance to local government, and we need to make sure schools are safe and welcoming places for all.

"We have worked closely with the Scottish Government and our partners across education system to develop the action plan and guidance published today.

"We will continue to work in partnership to enable the provision of the best possible support, in and out of school, so that children and young people to get the most out of their learning."

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