Today, Senedd member for the Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies, called for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Education regarding Welsh Government guidance on school phone policies. Mr Davies drew attention to the change in school phone policy at Christ the Word Catholic School in Rhyl which comes into force today and will require students to place their phones in pouches at the front of the classroom, thus removing distractions to learning.
Speaking in the Senedd Chamber, Mr Davies praised the Principal’s “bold action” and highlighted that there is a considerable amount of empirical evidence demonstrating that smartphones, and social media, are a “distraction in the classroom and an impediment to learning, but also linked to higher rates of poor mental well-being and bullying.”
He also highlighted that classroom mobile phone bans are winning increasing support internationally, and that the UK Government’s guidance to schools in England supports the banning of mobile phones in the classroom. Mr Davies concluded his remarks by requesting the Welsh Government review their guidance to schools on mobile phone policy and consider bringing the guidance in line with England.
Following his comments in the Senedd, Gareth added:
“I commend the decision taken by Christ the Word Catholic School in Rhyl to restrict the use of mobile phones in the classroom which I strongly believe is beneficial to the young people at the school.
“There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating that restricting phone use in the classroom leads to both better educational outcomes and improved pupil wellbeing, with UK Government guidance recommending schools in England restrict phone use in the classroom.
“I have, therefore, called on the Welsh Government to review their guidance to schools and consider bringing it in line with England, urging other education providers in Wales to follow the lead of schools like Christ the Word in bringing in similar measures.”
