Quality British Education in Saudi Arabia
Mobile Phone Policy
Dear Parents
Below you will find the school’s acceptable use policy for mobile phones. Today we find that many students in Key Stages 3 and 4 carry mobile phones with them to school, as do some younger children. Thankfully, most students use their phones responsibly, looking after them carefully, keeping them turned off during class time and using them only in an emergency.
We understand that many parents like their children to have mobile phones so that they can be contacted easily whilst travelling between home and school, and for this reason they are permitted in school.
We encourage parents to consider carefully the wisdom of sending children to school with expensive mobile phones. For emergency use, the most basic mobile telephones are more than adequate and far less tempting for a potential thief. Mobile phone theft is very rare at our school and we are working hard to keep it that way.
If parents need to contact their child during the school day, they should do so through the office.
Yours sincerely
Nick Hardcastle
Head of Senior School
POLICY FOR THE ACCEPTABLE USE OF MOBILE PHONES BY STUDENTS
Purpose
The increased ownership of mobile phones requires that school
administrators, teachers, students, and parents take steps to ensure that mobile phones are used responsibly within the school environment.
This Acceptable Use Policy is designed to ensure that potential issues (such as mobile etiquette) can be clearly identified and addressed.
Dhahran British Grammar School has established the following Acceptable Use Policy for mobile phones that provides teachers, students and parents guidelines and instructions for the appropriate use of mobile phones during school hours.
In order for students to carry a mobile phone during school hours,
students and their parents or guardians must first read, understand and agreeto the Acceptable Use Policy.
The Acceptable Use Policy for mobile phones also applies to students during school excursions, camps and extra-curricular activities. On overseas trips from Dhahran British Grammar School, students are not normally permitted to carry mobile phones.
Rationale
Personal safety and security
Dhahran British Grammar School accepts that parents give their children mobile phones to protect them from everyday risks involving personal security and safety.
Responsibility
It is the responsibility of students who bring mobile phones onto
school premises to adhere to the guidelines outlined in this document.
The decision to provide a mobile phone to their children should be made by parents.
Permission to have a mobile phone at school while under the
school’s supervision is contingent upon parent/guardian permission in the form of a signed copy of this policy.
Acceptable Uses
Parents are reminded that in cases of emergency, the school office remains a vital and appropriate point of contact and can ensure that your child is reached quickly, and assisted in any appropriate way. The school office must be the first point of contact.
Unacceptable Uses
Mobile phones should be switched off during lessons and other
educational activities such as assemblies. There will be no exceptions to this part of the policy.
Should there be disruptions to lessons caused by a mobile phone, the responsible student will face disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the head teacher. These sanctions are listed below.
Theft or damage
Students who bring a mobile phone onto school premises should
keep it in their bag or pocket. During lessons where it is necessary to leave the phone elsewhere, it may be handed to a teacher (e.g. PE valuables exchange), or placed in a locker. Telephones should not be left in unattended bags.
The school accepts no responsibility for replacing mobile phones that are lost, stolen or damaged whilst on school premises or on
school sponsored functions.
The school accepts no responsibility for students who lose or have
their mobile phones stolen while travelling to and from school.
It is strongly advised that students use passwords/pin numbers to ensure that unauthorised phone calls cannot be made on their phones (eg by other students, or if stolen). Students must keep their password/pin numbers confidential. Mobile phones and/or passwords must not be shared.
Inappropriate conduct
(a) Any student who uses vulgar, derogatory, or obscene
language while using a mobile phone will face disciplinary
actions as sanctioned by the head teacher.
(b) Students using mobile phones to bully other students will face
disciplinary actions as sanctioned by the head teacher.
Sanctions
Students infringing on the rules noted above will have their ‘phone
confiscated. It will be taken to a secure place within the school and the parent(s) of the students informed. Parent(s) of the student may collect the ‘phone at their convenience, during office hours.
Effective: 26 October 2008
Below is a copy of the permission slip which is sent out to parents as a printed form.
PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION
I have read and understand the above information about appropriate use of mobile phones at Dhahran British Grammar School and I understand that this form will be kept on file at the school and that the details may be used (and shared with
a third party, if necessary) to assist identify a phone should the need arise (eg if lost, or if the phone is being used inappropriately).
I give my child permission to carry a mobile phone to school and
understand that my child will be responsible for ensuring that the mobile phone is used appropriately and correctly while under the school’s supervision, as outlined in this document.
Parent’s name
Signature
Student’s name
Signature
Date
