"Leave it up to school leaders" says East Yorkshire principal on phone ban
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan announced guidance to ban mobile phones in schools at the Conservative Party conference yesterday.
An East Yorkshire principal has criticised the Education Secretary's decision to issue guidance urging schools to ban mobile phones in the classroom and at break times.
Gillian Keegan made the announcement at the Conservative Party conference, citing smartphones as "one of the biggest issues facing children and teachers" due to them distracting pupils and causing bullying.
Paul Britton, Principal at Wyke Sixth Form College in Hull, said: "You should leave it up to school leaders to make the best judgements about how to manage behaviour - I don't really need Gillian Keegan telling me what to do that's in the best interests of my young people."
Many schools have already banned mobile phone use, or have their own guidance in place. The plans will not be directly enforceable by the government, meaning schools will still have freedom to decide their own approach.
Paul Britton said: "Ultimately what is being suggested isn't going to have much force for schools, who will still do what they feel is best for young people but it is a way for the education secretary to say something that will be well-supported and well-received at the conference.
"It feels like something which can make it sound like you're taking action without it really being that significant because ultimately schools can ignore it if they wish."
Paul Britton went on to say that far from being a negative presence in the classroom, mobile phones can aid teaching through Teams messaging between students and teachers, and group activities such as 'Kahoot!' quizzes.
He said: "Effective use of your phone is a really important tool - you've got to work out when to use it, when not to use it, how not to be distracted by it and how to use the power of it to do your work and achieve great outcomes."