Parents, teachers and pupils have their say on restricting phones in schools

Parents and teachers are being asked for their views on restricting mobile phones in schools, with Wales' largest teaching union calling for a national ban.

NASUWT Cymru said its members in schools where phones are already banned have found it "transformational" with improved learner engagement and behaviour. Parents and teachers are being asked for their views.

Forcing schools to ban mobile phones has been ruled out by the Welsh government but it has promised to strengthen national guidance.

Education Minister Anna Brychan said there would be an expectation that the use of mobile phones is restricted during the school day, but approaches could vary across school sites.

It is hoped clear guidance on restricting phones will empower school leaders to take "firm steps" to protect children and their wellbeing.

Most schools already have their own rules around the use of mobile phones in the classroom and during breaks.

Pupils at a high school in Cardiff told BBC Wales they had experienced a positive effect on their classroom experience after teachers banned phone use during the school day.

The government has pointed to an increasing body of evidence which shows how the use of smartphones affects children's attainment and wellbeing.

A consultation launched on Wednesday will give teachers, parents and governing bodies the chance to have their say on new national guidance to restrict phones throughout the school day.

However, Brychan said any restrictions should be based on the individual needs of school communities.

Unlike the UK government which introduced a national ban on smartphones in schools in England earlier this year, both the current Plaid Cymru government and previous Welsh Labour government have stopped short of an outright ban.

Parents Jim and Fiona Lloyd, from Tregaron in Ceredigion, said they do not have a problem with their daughter having her phone in school, but they think there should be a clear national policy and it "shouldn't be up to schools to decide".

Meanwhile, Christine James and Mark Hermolle said their views on phones in schools are "mixed".

They agree that phones can be a distraction in the classroom but they also see the use in having phones if it helps with certain learning activities.

Mary Immaculate High School, in Cardiff, enforces a strict mobile phone ban where pupils must lock their devices in secure pouches for the entire school day.

Nálani, 15, said she has seen a big difference during lessons with less distractions, and it has also changed her habits outside of the classroom, making her "want to talk to people more".

"Going into restaurants and seeing people on their phones just infuriates me because you're not talking to each other," she said.

Orelua, 14, admitted it was hard to adapt at first as he used to go on his phone "every break time", but agreed it has had a positive impact in tackling his addiction.

"It's improved my focus on tasks," he said, which has made "revision or studying much easier".

Headteacher Hugh Powell said the reaction to the initial consultation was mixed with parents favouring it, and the vast majority of young people against it.

He added: "The evidence was quite clear that mobile phones were a distraction, could cause a lot of problems for young people and we had some disciplinary issues around their use."

Powell said the change has been "hugely positive" with improvements in behaviour and zero incidents related to mobile phones.

"We've noticed our canteen is much noisier than it used to be, of course, but that's fine."

Options on the table include a complete restriction of mobile phones across the site, with devices handed over at the start of the school day or locked away in pouches and then collected at the end of the day.

Other suggestions include keeping phones switched off and in bags during lessons or allowing permitted use of phones during certain times of the day and in certain parts of a school building.

A series of considerations have been put forward for some pupils who may need their phones for medical reasons, such as diabetes, or if they are young carers.

The idea of having a stricter set of rules for younger pupils compared to older ones has also been suggested.

Any school policy on restricting mobile phones should include clear guidance for exemptions, according to the guidance, which might include a formal application from a parent or guardian with supporting evidence.

It also advises that if mobiles are needed for learning activities, then arrangements should be made to ensure no pupil is disadvantaged.

Dr Graham Gault, national secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said: "Many Welsh schools already have robust policies in place limiting phone use, but national guidance would support these policies and those schools keen to introduce or strengthen restrictions.

"Restricting or banning phone does however come at a cost and generates additional workload for schools. We would therefore encourage the Welsh government to be mindful of this and help fund implementation of these measures should this guidance move forward."

Helen Jenner, Reform UK Wales' education spokesperson, said the increase of mobile phone use in schools had a "direct and negative effect" on pupils.

She said her party would take a zero tolerance approach, adding that schools need to "remove the distraction of phones completely".

Sam Rowlands, the Welsh Conservative spokesperson for education said: "We don't need a consultation to tell us the obvious.

"The entire education profession is clear that mobile phones are a distraction in the classroom, contribute to bullying and are making it more difficult for teachers to do their jobs."