It’s always so interesting to see the reaction of prospective parents when I announce in my Open Morning speech that we are ‘a no mobile phone school in Years 7-11’. The reaction is always the same. There is that collective sense of relief that their children will not be allowed to have their phones in school and consequently will have that all-important break from screen time and the perils of social media.
We still have a parent body where many of us can remember that there was a life before such technology was developed. We can reminisce about how wonderful things were when we played outside with our friends and were able to escape the constant barrage and pressure that is currently put on young people to conform to the latest trends and unrealistic ideals portrayed on the web.
As such, it gives me enormous pleasure at break and lunchtime to be on duty in the gardens and see our students playing together in a healthy way. Balls are being kicked around, the outside gym is in use, leaves are being thrown, they are running around, and there is a whole host of imaginative play at work. How wonderful!
As the debate turns to whether young children should have smartphones, I urge parents to support the school’s policy and keep their children’s phones at home. Healthy, happy, thriving children do not require technology to make this happen.
As a school, we are currently exploring ways to support young people in achieving a healthy balance with technology and understanding the impact that screens have on our well-being. Parents have an important role to play in this dialogue and may wish to consider delaying the introduction of smartphones and social media, establishing boundaries around the use of technology, and talking about safe use of the internet.
Joanna Leite
Deputy Head (Pastoral)