Guidance on the use of Mobile devices in schools within Highland Council

1. Background

1.1. Although mobile phones have been readily available for many years, their capabilities have grown significantly in recent years. Other devices have also become available which supplement/replicate these capabilities, and many schools may just have had a policy along the lines of ‘Off in class’. This may no longer be relevant and central guidance is required around which individual schools can build a bespoke policy for their pupils which deals with all mobile devices.

1.2. A list of existing guidance/policy is available at Appendix 1.

2. Key elements2.1. Although an outright ban on mobile devices within schools would negate the

requirement for a policy, this may not be appropriate as the device could be used for reasons of personal safety both to and from school. With every member of staff having a duty of care to the child, safeguarding health, development and welfare is vital.

2.2. Any individual policy should be simple and have specific and unambiguous information regarding the state and use of devices at any given time/place throughout the day. (See Appendix 3 for an exemplar policy for both a secondary and primary setting)

2.2.1. If use is restricted out with class time, it is recommended that there are arrangements for use of school phone system for emergency contact, and that these arrangements are known to all.

2.3. Use of devices during off site excursions should be determined by the Head Teacher and trip leader and be detailed as part of any risk assessment.

2.3.1. It is recommended that school regulations on mobile device use are replicated on school excursions, but that excursion leader will have variational powers.

2.3.2. Any such variations should be fully communicated to parents/carers before the excursion departs and said variations may form part of a ‘behaviour contract’ that can be signed by both participants and parents/carers.

2.4. Misuse will include transfer of material which may undermine order and discipline.

2.5. Sanctions applied, and advice on implementation should be clear, and agreed to sit within existing behaviour policy and procedure at the school.

2.6. It is acceptable for confiscation of differing time periods to be utilised as a sanction, and as to whether return to the pupil or parent is most suitable.

2.7. For any incident, consideration as to there being a child protection issue should be given.

2.8. Any policy should include actions to be taken if illegality is suspected or established.2.8.1. SMT involvement from outset2.8.2. Device confiscated and retained in secure location with action logged by

appropriate staff member. Take care to not delete any images etc which can be used as evidence.

2.8.3. Accurate records of any relevant incident should be kept, including signatures of witnesses.

2.8.4. If there is suspicion of child protection issues, then Highland Council inter-agency procedures must be adhered to.

2.8.5. If there is suspicion of criminal activity, advice should be sought from Police Scotland as to who makes parental contact.

2.8.6. The appropriate EQIM/Area manager must be informed, and schools must continue to work with all appropriate agencies until the matter is resolved.

2.8.7. There may be implications for potential liability of Highland Council in the civil courts.

3. Development and Consultation3.1. Schools should use these guidelines to develop or revise school policy, through full

engagement with all stakeholders. The agreed policy should then be communicated to the entire school community including Pupil/Parent Councils and the school handbook. Any policy should refer to appropriate use of devices between staff and children.

3.2. It may be suitable to use practical examples/scenarios to stimulate discussion and inform construction/alteration of the school policy.

3.3. Any policy should be updated as technologies and national guidance changes.

3.4. Schools should ensure that appropriate and regular training and dissemination of information regarding digital devices takes place for all involved with the school.

3.5. Integrating the issues of this policy within existing positive behaviour and anti-bullying initiatives, citizenship and other pupil participation activity is recommended.

4. Stakeholder support4.1. Any person that has been subject to mobile device misuse must be provided with

appropriate support and follow up.

4.2. For staff, the school should consider advice from legal services, and or Police Scotland, in cases that give cause for concern. Further support should be offered, as appropriate, including other professional organisations.

4.3. For children, this support may include referral to Pastoral staff, and other appropriate agencies.

May 2019

Appendix 1

Existing guidance and policy documents

1. Social Media Policy (Highland Council, 2013) https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/4469/social_media_policy_and_guidance

2. Digital Citizenship E-Safety Policy https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qVRzXS2EOzkvQ7eguXhM7LF-29VLjUpn/view?usp=sharing

3. Social Media Leaflet for Parents – see Appendix 24. Professional Guidance on the use of Electronic Communication and Social Media (GTCS)

http://www.gtcs.org.uk/web/FILES/FormUploads/ecomms-social-media-guidance-pd.pdf

Appendix 2

This leaflet will offer guidance to parent and

carers on appropriate use of social media in relation

to school matters

Parents and Carers

Social Networking GuidanceSocial networking is hugely popular. Many

young people are sophisticated in the way they use social media apps and websites, tailoring their communication for different audiences, and accessing them from a range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and games consoles. However, social media, like all forms of public communication, comes with some risks. Not all of these risks turn into actual problems; and if children never face any risks, they never learn how to deal with them. By helping your child understand what the risks are, you can play a big part in preventing them from turning into problems.

Why children use Social Media

Online Safety Links esafety-adviser.com/latest-newsletter/ net-aware.org.uk/ o2.co.uk/help/nspcc tinyurl.com/yd7wgxq9

(Social Media Guide for parents) tinyurl.com/yap8tezv

(Digital Parenting Magazine) tinyurl.com/ycwwzb6o

(Google Safety Centre) tinyurl.com/ycswqq47

(Highland Digi Learn Site) nspcc.org.uk/ thinkuknow.co.uk/parents

Speak with your child and ascertain the facts. Show your child how to block texts and pictures.

Seek advice and support through the websites listed on this leaflet.

If the concern requires you to speak to the Head Teacher (or a member of the school’s Senior Management Team) then make an appointment. Give a brief outline, when making an appointment, of the nature of your concern.

If you consider the concern to be a police matter then contact them directly on 101. Save any messages or images for evidence.

After seeking advice, it is important to speak again with your child and discuss how to prevent similar situations occurring again.

If you are Concerned...

Social Media sites have the potential to enhance the learning and achievement of pupils and enable parents to access information about school and provide feedback efficiently and easily. In addition, school recognises that many parents and family members will have personal social networking accounts, which they might use to share views about school issues with friends and family. As a guide, individuals should consider the following prior to posting information on social media about school, its staff, pupils or anyone associated with school.

Is social media the appropriate channel to raise concerns, give this feedback or express these views?

Would private/confidential discussions with school be more appropriate e.g. if serious allegations are being made or concerns being raised. Social media sites should not be used to name individuals and/or make abusive comments about these people. Please contact school directly to discuss any concerns you may have and follow the complaints policy

Are such comments likely to cause emotional or reputational harm to individuals that would not be justified, especially if school has not yet been given the chance to investigate a complaint or deal with a situation?

The reputational impact that posting of such material may have to school; any detrimental harm that school may suffer as a result of the posting and impact that such posting may have on any individual named

Appropriate use of Social Media

Inappropriate use of Social Media

Although social networking sites may appear to be the quickest and easiest way to express frustrations or concerns about school (and those associated with it), it is rarely appropriate to do so. Other channels such as a private and confidential discussion with school, or using school/council’s formal complaint process are much better suited to this.

School considers the following examples to be inappropriate uses of social media. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended to provide examples only:

Making allegations about staff or pupils at school

Making complaints about school or its staff Making defamatory statements about school

or its staff/pupils Posting negative or offensive comments

about specific pupils or staff Posting racist or homophobic comments Posting any comment which threatens

violence

Parents should model positive use of social media so that their children are not using social networking or online sites inappropriately. It is expected that parents or carers explain to their children what is acceptable to post online. Parents and carers are also expected to monitor their child’s online activity including in relation to their use of social media.

This guidance aims to: Encourage social networking sites to

be used in a beneficial and positive way by parents

Safeguard and protect pupils, staff and anyone associated with the school, from the negative effects of misused social networking sites

Safeguard and protect the reputation of the school and Highland Council, from unwarranted abuse on social media outlets

Clarify what the school and council considers to be appropriate and inappropriate use of social media by parents/carers

What is Social Networking?

Social Networking is a platform which allows people to build social networks or social relations among people who share common interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections. These online communications and social media include software, apps, email and web/blog sites. These allow users to interact, create and exchange information online. This content may include text, pictures or video and sometimes combinations of all three. Increasingly, these sites and services are accessed and updated through mobile devices such as notebooks or phones, rather than desktop or laptop computers.

Appendix 3

Exemplar policy – Nairn Academy

Nairn Academy Mobile Device Policy

As part of our ongoing evaluation of supporting positive behaviour in school and the community we have been reviewing our current policy with regard to the increasing use of mobile devices by pupils whilst engaged in the school day.

Mobile devices (and headphones) have become a key part of everyday life for most children and young people and many adults. Mobile devices are a vital form of communication in the modern world and, given this, it would be unreasonable to ban pupils from taking them to school. However, schools need clear guidelines to address the issues raised by their presence on site and to ensure they do not hinder effective learning and teaching:

Their use can cause pupils and staff to be subject to bullying Even when in silent mode, texts can undermine classroom discipline, distracting not only the person with the device, but also others Mobile devices with cameras could lead to child protection and data protection issues They are valuable items that may be stolen

However, under the direction of the teacher, these devices could be used to support learning and teaching when engaging such features as:

Integrated audio, digital cameras and video recording facilities Google Apps for Education Electronic calendars/diaries

School policy must take account of the benefits to be gained by appropriate use in school. By revising our approach to the use of mobile technology within the school we will be able to:

Enhance the personal safety of pupils and staff. Enhance school security. Recognise and endorse the right of all staff and pupils to teach and learn in an environment free from disruption. Maximise time in class to focus on high quality learning and teaching

The school will not accept responsibility or liability for loss of, or damage to, valuable items which are brought to school. However, we recognise that pupils - with the approval of their parents - may wish to bring mobile technology to school. If so, the following direction applies:

The school recognises the importance of emerging technologies present in modern mobile devices. Teachers may wish to utilise this potential to aid teaching and learning and students may have the opportunity to use their mobile devices in the classroom.

Mobile devices should be switched off and kept out of sight during classroom lessons and while moving between lessons.

On these occasions students may only use their mobile devices in the classroom when express permission has been given by the teacher.

At all other times, these items must be in school bags, SWITCHED OFF (not on ‘silent’) and out of sight.

[Exceptions may be permitted in exceptional circumstances if the parent/carer specifically requests it. Such requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.]

RULES GOVERING USE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

The photographing, videoing or recording of a member of staff, other pupil or other person, without their permission, is unacceptable and therefore prohibited.

It is also unacceptable to distribute the image or recording, to any other person by any means, eg mobile device, email, media representative, social networking site etc.

Any pupil found to have done so will be subject to strong disciplinary action, including possible exclusion.

Pupils who feel unwell should contact home via the staff in the medical room, and not use their mobile device. This allows the office staff to monitor the pupil while they wait to be collected. It also avoids pupils leaving school without permission.

Parents should avoid contacting pupils by mobile device during the school day, but if it is necessary, this should be during social times or in an emergency. The pupil’s device should be switched off and a message can be left.

If at any point a pupil misuses their device or refuses to follow the above rules, the member of staff can withdraw the device. It will be stored securely at the school reception for collection by the Year Head, to be subsequently picked up by a parent/carer.

Failure to surrender a mobile device/electronic device will be dealt with as with any other incident where a pupil refuses to follow a reasonable instruction given to them by a member of staff and appropriate sanctions will apply.

[If asked to do so, where appropriate and deemed necessary, content on the device (e.g. messages, emails, pictures, videos, sound files) will be requested to be shown to the Year Head if it is considered an issue of Child Protection.]

Where a pupil persistently breaches the expectations, following a clear warning, the Year Head may impose an outright ban from bringing a mobile device to school. This may be a fixed period or permanent ban and will involve discussions with parents/guardians.

Using mobile devices to bully and threaten other students or staff is unacceptable. Cyber bullying will not be tolerated. In some cases it can constitute criminal behaviour. If the use of technology humiliates, embarrasses or causes offence it is unacceptable regardless of whether ‘consent’ was given.

Given this, the matter may also be reported to the Police if appropriate.

Please can I ask you to speak with your child/children regarding mobile devices and emphasise the importance of following the Academy’s new policy as explained above. If you have any questions regarding the new policy, please feel free to contact the school.

1. There must be no photographing, videoing or recording without consent.

2. Emergency contact to and from parents and carers should be made through the school office.

4. Bullying by mobile device or social networking site will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Anti-Bullying policy.

3. Discipline procedures will apply

24th November 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians

Nairn Academy Mobile Device Policy – launch on 27th November 2017

As part of our ongoing evaluation of supporting positive behaviour in school and the community we have been reviewing our current policy with regard to the increasing use of mobile devices by pupils whilst engaged in the school day.

Whilst mobile devices have become a key part of everyday life, schools need clear guidelines to address the issues raised by their presence on site and to ensure they do not hinder effective learning and teaching. Sadly their use can cause pupils and staff to be subject to bullying and even when in silent mode, texts can undermine classroom discipline, distracting not only the person with the device, but also others. Equally, mobile devices with cameras could lead to child protection and data protection issues.

We appreciate that under the direction of the teacher, mobile devices could be used to support learning and teaching through the use of (for example) Google Apps for Education or as Electronic calendars/diaries. By revising our approach to the use of mobile technology within the school we will be able to: enhance the personal safety of pupils and staff; enhance school security. Also we will be able to endorse the right of all staff and pupils to teach and learn in an environment free from disruption, maximising high quality learning and teaching.

The school will not accept responsibility or liability for loss of, or damage to, valuable items (such as mobile phones) which are brought to school. However, we recognise that pupils - with the approval of their parents - may wish to bring mobile technology to school. If so, the following direction applies:

Mobile devices should be switched off and kept in school bags during classroom lessons and while moving between lessons. Pupils can access their phones at morning interval and at lunch break.

We accept that teachers may wish to utilise the potential of mobile devices to aid teaching and learning and students may have the opportunity to use their mobile devices in the classroom. On these occasions students may only use their mobile devices in the classroom when express permission has been given by the teacher. At all other times, these items must be in school bags, and be switched off.

As is the current practice, emergency contact to and from parents and carers should be made through the school office. Pupils who feel unwell should contact home via the staff in the medical room, and not use their mobile device. This allows the office staff to monitor the pupil while they wait to be collected. It also avoids pupils leaving school without permission.

Parents should avoid contacting pupils by mobile device during the school day, but if it is essential, this should be during social times. The pupil’s device should be switched off and a message can be left.

While we are confident that the vast majority of our pupils will be able to adapt to this new policy to support learning and teaching, the following sanctions will apply if discipline issues develop:

If at any point a pupil misuses their device or refuses to follow the above rules, a member of staff can withdraw the device. It will be stored securely at the school reception for collection by the Year Head, to be subsequently picked up by a parent/carer.

Failure to surrender a mobile device/electronic device will be dealt with as with any other incident where a pupil refuses to follow a reasonable instruction given to them by a member of staff and appropriate sanctions will apply.

If asked to do so, where appropriate and deemed necessary, content on the device (e.g. messages, emails, pictures, videos, sound files) will be shown to the Year Head if it is considered an issue of Child Protection.

If a pupil persistently breaches the expectations, following a clear warning, the Year Head may request an outright ban from bringing a mobile device to school for a fixed period following discussions with parents/ guardians.

If it is suspected that mobile devices are being used to bully and/or threaten students or staff this form of cyber bullying will not be tolerated. In some cases it can constitute criminal behaviour. If the use of technology humiliates, embarrasses or causes offence it is unacceptable regardless of whether ‘consent’ was given. Given this, the matter may be reported to the Police.

Full details on the this policy and school rules governing the use of mobile technology can be found on the school website or paper copies can be uplifted from the school Reception.

Please can I ask you to speak with your child/children regarding mobile devices and emphasise the importance of following the Academy’s new policy, which will start on Monday 27 th November 2017, as explained above.

If you have any questions regarding the new policy, please feel free to contact the school.

Yours sincerely

Mrs J Macdonald

Rector

Exemplar policy – North Kessock Primary

‘Learn daily, laugh often and be the best that you can be’

MOBILE PHONE POLICYThis policy provides clear guidance on the use of mobile

phones in school by both staff and pupils.

Camera mobile phonesCamera mobile phones are now the norm and a built in camera enables users to take high resolution pictures. These can be sent instantly to other mobile phone users or email addresses. They can also be posted on the internet. There is a potential for camera mobile phones to be misused in schools. They can become an instrument of bullying or harassment directed against pupils and/ or teachers. Staff PolicyStaff use of mobile phones during their working day should be:

Only during own breaks Discreet and appropriate (eg: not in the presence of

pupils)

Mobile phones should be switched off and left in a safe place during lesson times. The school cannot take responsibility for items that are stolen or lost. Staff should never contact pupils or parents from their personal mobile phone or give their mobile phone number to pupils or parents. If a member of staff needs to make telephone contact with a parent, they should use the school telephone in the office.

Staff should never send to, or accept from colleagues or pupils, texts or images that could be viewed as inappropriate. If a member of staff uses their mobile phone to take photos in class, these photos should be immediately sent to their school email address and subsequently deleted from their phone. Wherever possible, staff should make use of school cameras/ tablet devices to take photographs. Parents, visitors or volunteers in school policyAdults either in school or accompanying children on school trips should only use their mobile phone cameras to take photos of their own children or at public events, such as the summer fete or sports day. Adults, visitors or volunteers in school should only use their mobile phone within the confines of the school office/ staff-room. If parents who accompany children on a school trip are asked by the teacher to take photos, they will be provided with a school camera. Pupil policyWhilst we fully acknowledge a parent’s right to allow their child to bring a mobile phone to school if they walk to and from school without adult supervision, North Kessock Primary School discourages pupils from bringing mobile phones to school due to potential issues that could arise (such as cyber-bullying). When a child needs to bring a phone into school, they must hand it in to the class teacher who will keep it in a safe place in the classroom. It must be handed in at the start of the school day and can be collected at the end of the day. Phones should be clearly marked so that each pupil knows their own phone. Parents are advised that North Kessock Primary School accepts no liability for the loss or damage to mobile phones which are brought into school or school grounds. Where a pupil is found by a member of staff to be using a mobile phone, the phone will be confiscated from the pupil and handed to the class teacher for safe-keeping. The pupil may collect the phone at the end of the school day.

If a pupil is found taking photographs or video footage with a mobile phone whilst in school, this will be regarded as a serious offence. Parents will be contacted about this concern and the child will need to remove the images in the presence of a member of staff. Should a pupil be found to be using their phone inappropriately, the school reserves the right to withdraw this privilege and they will no longer be able to bring a phone into school. We ask that parents talk to their children about the appropriate use of text messages as they can be used to bully pupils. Should parents need to contact pupils (or pupils need to contact their parents), during the school day, this should be done via the usual school procedure of contacting the school office on 01463 731667 or via email.

Policy written in March 2019Policy written by Miss M Mackay (Head teacher)