Mobile phones in schools - how does the new guidance apply to educational visits?The Department for Education has published new guidance on how to develop, implement and maintain a policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones in school. This guidance should be read alongside the guidance on behaviour in schools and keeping children safe in education. Within the guidance is a section of relevance to educational visits. It states: "Schools should determine how they wish to manage the use of mobile phones by pupils on residential trips or trips outside of the normal school day. Schools should ensure that pupils’ educational experience on a school trip is not disrupted by the presence of mobile phones and should consider prohibiting or restricting their use". We would encourage schools to work with your adviser on a policy and code of practice that suits your school and visits, and takes into account your employer’s policies too. Some of areas to consider in your school policy are: lost/broken/stolen devices bullying staying up late playing games/texting/calling – disturbing others in the room access to inappropriate content contact with strangers via games, social media etc. unwanted/inappropriate sharing on social media excessive communication with home to the detriment of the experience no escape from being ‘connected’ control of information in an emergency phones used for monitoring medical conditions
In addition, OEAP National Guidance has published FAQs on using mobiles phones on visits. Guidance 6w FAQs: mobile phones on visits discusses the balance of risks and benefits of mobile phone use during a visit and includes helpful signposting to other relevant National Guidance documents. If you have questions related to this guidance and how to implement it, speak to your Educational Visits Adviser. EVOLVE Advice clients can email advice@evolveadvice.co.uk.
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