{"id":627,"date":"2013-04-24T10:12:05","date_gmt":"2013-04-24T09:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/?page_id=627"},"modified":"2013-04-24T10:14:07","modified_gmt":"2013-04-24T09:14:07","slug":"mobile-phones-and-portable-electronics-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/?page_id=627","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Phones and Portable Electronics Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Approved by Governors Curriculum Committee 21 October 2010<\/strong>
\nAmended April 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Introduction<\/strong>
\nIt is an obvious fact of modern life that students will increasingly carry electronic devices to\/from and in school.\u00a0 It is also the case that a distinction between different types of device (e.g. USB stick vs MP3 player) is no longer clear.\u00a0 The widespread ownership of mobile phones among young people requires that teachers, students, and parents take steps to ensure that mobile phones are used responsibly at school.\u00a0 This Acceptable Use Policy is designed to ensure that potential issues involving mobile phones and other portable devices can be clearly identified and addressed, ensuring the benefits that these devices provide (such as increased safety) can continue to be enjoyed by our students, along with their appropriate use during school hours.\u00a0 This Acceptable Use Policy for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices also applies to students during school trips and extra-curricular activities.<\/p>\n

2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Liability<\/strong>
\n2.1<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0While the School does not prohibit students bringing in mobile phones, they are not encouraged to bring any expensive items into school, and must understand that the school accepts no liability for loss or damage to any personal equipment while on school premises or while travelling to and from school.<\/p>\n

2.2<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Students should mark their mobile phone clearly with their names.\u00a0 To reduce the risk of theft during school hours, students who carry mobile phones are advised to keep them well concealed and not \u2018advertise\u2019 they have them.\u00a0 Portable devices that are found in the School and whose owner cannot be identified should be handed in at the front office.<\/p>\n

2.3<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0It is strongly advised that students use passwords\/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other students, or if stolen). Students must keep their password\/pin numbers confidential.\u00a0 Mobile phones and\/or passwords may not be shared.<\/p>\n

2.4\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0Students are encouraged to leave expensive items at home and only to bring equipment that is essential, therefore\u00a0 reducing the likelihood of significant loss or damage.<\/p>\n

3\u00a0 \u00a0 Use in lessons<\/strong>
\nThe use of any portable electronic device (whether for music, data storage, or communication) is entirely at the discretion of the teacher in charge.\u00a0 Mobile phones must not disrupt lessons with ringtones or beeping.\u00a0 In general they must be switched off and kept out of sight during lessons.\u00a0 Mobile phones and other portable devices must never be used in lessons that are supervised by a Cover Supervisor unless the lesson plan specifically directs for this to happen.\u00a0 Students who breach this understanding are likely to have their device confiscated.\u00a0 Significant interruption to a lesson will lead to a more serious sanction.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Use around school<\/strong>
\n4.1<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Students should minimise the use of electronic equipment around school.\u00a0 It is expected therefore that phone calls will be kept to an absolute minimum, and students are advised to seek permission from a member of staff in the rare circumstance that a phone needs to be used.\u00a0 Essential calls are to be made in the foyer area only, or the social area of the Darwin Centre.\u00a0 While on school premises, students should use soundless features such as text messaging, answering services, call diversion and vibration alert to receive important calls.<\/p>\n

4.2<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Unless express permission is granted, mobile phones may not be used to make calls, send text messages, browse the internet, take photos or use any other application during school lessons and other educational activities.\u00a0 Students should only use their mobile phones and other portable devices before or after school, or during break and lunch times. Music may only be listened to in the sixth form centre, where headphones are required.<\/p>\n

4.3<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0At no time should students take photos or make recordings of any other member of the school community (staff or student), unless this has been specifically authorised by a member of staff.<\/p>\n

4.4<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Students are reminded that if they are unwell, home contact is undertaken by school staff, and must not occur before reporting to the medical room.\u00a0 Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency, the School office remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure the student is reached quickly and assisted in any appropriate way.<\/p>\n

5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Personal safety<\/strong>
\nStudents are advised that their personal safety, on journeys to and from school, may be compromised by listening through headphones \u2013 especially when crossing roads, or cycling.\u00a0 However the School is aware that parents give their children mobile phones to protect them from everyday risks involving personal security and safety.\u00a0 There is also increasing concern about students travelling alone on public transport or commuting long distances to school.\u00a0 It is acknowledged that providing a child with a mobile phone gives parents reassurance that they can contact their child if they need to speak to them urgently.<\/p>\n

6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Personal Responsibility<\/strong>
\nThe school considers that students should learn the responsible use of electronic equipment as part of their general education.\u00a0 In particular, students are advised that the misuse of electronic media is a serious offence, and carries the same weight as equivalent incidents with printed matter.\u00a0 So, for example, indecent electronic images are absolutely prohibited; as is the distribution, without consent, of images (whether defamatory or not) involving other members of the school community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Approved by Governors Curriculum Committee 21 October 2010 Amended April 2013 1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Introduction It is an obvious fact of modern life that students will increasingly carry electronic devices to\/from and in school.\u00a0 It is also the case that a distinction between different types of device (e.g. USB stick vs MP3 player) is no longer clear.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/627"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=627"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":631,"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/627\/revisions\/631"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/it.kegs.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}