Return to school after the winter holidays was different this year for some Nairn pupils after the school introduced a ban on the use of mobile phones on its grounds.
A ban on mobile phones has come into action at Nairn Academy this week. Picture: monkeybusinessimages/iStock.
Nairn Academy adopted a new policy on mobile devices – starting this week – in a bid to encourage face-to-face interaction and reduce distractions for its students.
It comes after new guidance shared by the Scottish Government last summer “empowered” headteachers in taking steps to limit the use of mobile devices at school.
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From now on, pupils will have to leave their phones at home or switch them off and store them in their lockers or bags while on school grounds.
Communication with parents or carers will go through the school office when necessary.
Nairn Shinty Club: Nairn Academy locator. Picture: James Mackenzie.
After the first day of trying the new policy on Monday, a school spokesperson wrote on the website: “A huge thank you to all our young people for their efforts today with the new mobile devices policy.
“We appreciate a few pupils had forgotten over the holidays but the vast majority were supporting a better learning and social environment for all. It was lovely to hear the chat in the social areas and canteen today…..as well as some out in the snow!
“We’d also like to express a big thank you to our parent /carers for their support. We know it is a difficult shift for everyone but, working together, we know this will make a difference. Our Parent Council have also been a great support over the last year as we have discussed the various issues and how we can work together on solutions.”
Nairn Academy is not the first school in the Highlands to introduce more restrictive measures for phones, with Grantown Grammar School opening the way in 2024, with a total ban on mobile devices introduced in May.
Talking about the new measures Claire McGonigal, head teacher at Grantown Grammar School, said parents have been overwhelmingly supportive with the total phone ban.
“Our previous policy of phones being switched off in class but able to be used at break and lunch was proving too difficult to manage,” she said shortly after the policy was introduced.
“If pupils have their phones in their pockets, it’s too tempting to message friends when the teacher is helping someone else in class. From a mental health point of view, even with phones switched to silent, the constant buzz of notifications from apps in addition to messages from friends was hugely distracting and increasingly stressful for pupils. You only have to consider how much you’re affected by a ping from your phone to realise the impact they have in a classroom.
“Staff are also extremely pleased that the ban is in place and are reporting that pupils are more engaged in class with fewer requests to leave class to fill their water bottle for example which previously could be an excuse to meet up with friends they’ve messaged.”
She said that positive signs were the increased “buzz of chatter” in the school and pupils taking part in more extra-curricular activities during the school day, as well as a reduction in negative social media use and cyber bullying.
Talking about the new guidance, chair of Highland Council’s Education Committee, Cllr John Finlayson said: “I think the approach taken to empower Head Teachers to make decisions that take account of their individual circumstances is the right decision.
“Given the diversity of settings that prevail across schools in areas like Highland it is important that the senior leaders in our schools have the autonomy to make decisions that reflect the issues and challenges within their own school and school community.
At Nairn Academy pupils can check paper copies of timetables each morning at registration.
The new policy also bans the use of ear/airpods during the school day.
The school also said they are working on introducing a range of lunch clubs to support social time.