Super Scientists/Esgate Education has set up this acceptable use policy for mobile phones to provide teachers, young people, parents and carers guidelines and instructions for the appropriate use of mobile phones during provision hours. 

The widespread ownership of mobile phones among young people requires that staff,  

administrators, teachers, young people, parents, and carers take steps to ensure that mobile phones are used responsibly onsite. This acceptable use policy is designed to ensure that potential issues involving mobile phones can be clearly shown and addressed, ensuring the benefits that mobile phones provide (such as increased safety) can be enjoyed by our young people. 

Young peoples, their parents, or carers must read and understand the acceptable use policy before young people are given permission to bring mobile phones into school. 

We accept that parents/carers give their children mobile phones to protect them from 

everyday risks involving personal security and safety. 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. 

• It is the responsibility of young people who bring mobile phones to school to abide by 

the guidelines outlined in this document. 

• The decision to provide a mobile phone to their children should be made by parents 

or carers. 

• Parents/carers should be aware if their child takes a mobile phone to our provision. 

Mobile phones should be switched off or kept silent upon arrival and not used until they leave. 

Unless in need of an emergency or acceptable use, considered by staff onsite. (Such as booking a taxi). 

Using mobile phones to bully and threaten other young people is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, as outlined in our anti-bullying policy. It is forbidden for young people to use their mobile phones to take videos and pictures to denigrate and humiliate other young people and then send the pictures to other young people or upload them for public viewing. No pictures are to be taken of staff. 

We accept no responsibility for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged mobile phones. It 

is strongly advised that young people use passwords/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (e.g. by other young people, or if stolen). Young people must keep their password/pin numbers confidential. Mobile phones and/or passwords may not be shared. 

We do not expect young people to use vulgar, derogatory, or obscene language at any 

time and this would include while using a mobile phone. Young people should not engage in personal attacks, harass another person, or post personal information about another person using messages, taking/sending photos or objectionable images, and phone calls. Any incidents of this nature that have repercussions in our provision, or any child found to be using a mobile phone to bully other young people will face disciplinary action as sanctioned by the DSL. Young people who infringe the rules set out in this document will not be allowed to bring their mobile phone on site. 

• On the first infringement of young peoples will be reminded of the contents of this 

policy. 

• On the second infringement of this policy a phone call will be made to the 

parent/carer to inform them of the incident. 

• On the third infringement. Parents will be notified, and the young person will not be 

allowed to collect the phone without a parent/carer’s consent. 

• After the third infringement the school will withdraw the agreement to allow the young 

person to bring the mobile telephone onsite. 

Failure to comply with these rules will result in sanctions and restrictions being placed on the young person. 

Staff use of mobile phones is permitted for work purposes but must not be used to take photos, videos, or sound recordings of any students. 

Checked: 01/08/25. Up-date required: 01/08/26