Welsh School Bans Phones with Exclusion Threat for Pupils

A secondary school in Wales has become the latest to crack down on mobile phone use, warning pupils they could face exclusion for refusing to comply 📱⚠️

Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen in Bridgend announced the “mobile and electronic device-free school” policy will begin on Monday, 2nd June, following concerns over disrupted learning and online bullying.

The school stated: “Mobile phones are increasingly becoming a huge distraction; this includes learning being disrupted, an increase in online bullying via social media platforms and taking and sharing of images and videos without permission which is illegal.”

Under the new rules, pupils must keep phones on silent in their bags from the moment they enter school gates, with use prohibited anywhere on school grounds. Parents wanting to contact their children must go through the school’s reception.

The consequences are severe – the school warned: “Any mobile phone related incident including refusal to hand in will result in a fixed term exclusion. Parents will be contacted and will collect their child’s phone from reception.”

The headteacher justified the decision, saying: “The headteacher has a duty of care to protect both learners and staff in school.”

The policy has backing from Bridgend County Borough Council, with a spokesperson confirming: “Local schools and their governing bodies are free to determine their own individual policies over whether mobile phones can be used during school hours or on school premises.”

The school thanked parents and carers for their “ongoing support” with the new measures.