Blaenau Gwent schools to ban mobile phones from November

Schools across Blaenau Gwent could start banning mobile phones and digital devices from November 3, as children return from their half term holidays.

On Wednesday, October 8, the council’s Children, Young People and Families scrutiny committee will meet to discuss guidance that will be sent to all school governing bodies in the borough.

The move comes in response to growing concerns about the negative impact phones are having on pupil well-being, behaviour, and outcomes, with concerns also raised by school staff and trade unions.

Dr Luisa Munro-Morris, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Children and Young People, said: “All schools will be supported by the local authority to implement policy relating to the banning of mobile phones and digital devices across the whole school day.”

She added: “The reason for this guidance is due to the high number of representations and reports regarding increasing behaviours in school, which in turn has a negative impact on teaching, learning, safeguarding, and the overall well-being of staff and pupils.”

Individual schools will determine their own policies and sanctions for those who break the rules, with exceptions made for medical or accessibility reasons.

Dr Munro-Morris continued: “By implementing this guidance, we aim to ensure all staff and pupils are safeguarded and have better learning experiences with positive outcomes.”