Pupils will have their mobile phones confiscated for a week if they are caught using them repeatedly during school time.

Teachers at the Towers School in Kennington say they will supply a "very basic" replacement mobile as part of the tough new crackdown.

Head teacher Richard Billings says the punishment only applies to repeat offenders and those who have not broken the rules before will have their phone handed back on the same day - providing a responsible adult collects it from staff.

But the policy, which bans the use of mobiles between 8.40am and 3pm, has been criticised by one parent who says the punishment is "heavy-handed".

Hothfield parish councillor Paul Fothergill, 35, whose two daughters attend the school, said: "I understand why they can’t use their phones during school time, but I think taking it away for seven days is heavy handed.

“I have refused to give Mr Billings permission to withhold my children’s phones and said I would be taking legal recourse if he did so.

“Taking it until the end of the day is acceptable, but a week isn’t.”

Mr Billings – who introduced the policy at the start of January – says 99% of parents have welcomed the new crackdown.

Since January 2017, mobiles have been banned during school hours, but Mr Billings says extending the punishment to a whole week will put pupils off using them.

“It is a deterrent so people do not use mobiles to disturb lessons,” he said.

"We know that, even having a phone available, even if you are not looking at it, can split your attention and reduce your cognitive function" - Richard Billings

“The offenders represent a tiny minority and the students like the fact they do not have to check their mobile phone every five minutes.

“In France, every school bans them. All sensible head teachers would ban mobile phones.”

Mr Billings detailed his new policy in a newsletter sent to parents.

He wrote: “We know that students live in a world which is constantly switched on. At Towers, we offer relief from this.

“We also know that, even having a phone available, even if you are not looking at it, can split your attention and reduce your cognitive function.

“If, for example, a phoned is removed on a Tuesday, it will not be returned until the following Tuesday.”

Mr Billings says the “very basic school mobile phone” will allow pupils to stay in contact with parents if theirs is confiscated.

The newsletter added: “We are aware of parents’ very real concerns about being able to contact a student for the purposes of getting home safely.

“Therefore, to support this, we will supply the student with a very basic school mobile phone.

“Parents will be given the phone number and students will have the chance to add their parents/siblings/emergency contact number into the memory before their own phone is put in the safe.

“In order to make it fair, and ensure we are not inconveniencing parents, the confiscated phone will be given back directly to the student on return of the school phone.”

Mr Billings says pupils should ensure phones are switched off and kept in bags.

He has asked parents to not attempt to communicate with pupils via their mobile during school hours, saying teachers are “always happy to pass on a message or ensure students are able to call home if necessary”.

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TOWERS' POLICY

A pupil's phone will be confiscated if:

• It is seen in the shirt or blazer pocket or even sticking out of a trouser pocket
• If it is kept in the inside pocket of the blazer and the student is seen looking into the pocket
• If it is clear the student has contacted their parent/carer via their own phone without going through the correct process via welfare
• The pupil's phone makes an audible noise (including vibration)

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As Towers introduces a tough new policy, KentOnline looks at how other schools in the Ashford district are tackling the use of mobile phones...

The John Wallis Church of England Academy

Pupils are told mobile phones and other electronic devices should be switched off and placed into a locker or bag during school hours.

If a pupil is caught handling a mobile device, it is confiscated and returned at the end of the day following a conversation with a parent.

The same rules apply to sixth formers, however they are able to use the devices in the common room during break and lunchtime.

Principal John McParland said: "Students carry items at their own risk and the academy will not accept responsibility for them.

"Some subject leaders have sought permission for their students to use mobile phones in classrooms to enhance the learning of students through interactive apps.

"It is carefully monitored by the teachers when this takes place.

"The students are respectful of the rules and understand that we teach our students to use their phones appropriately and more safely in the world of social media."

Ashford School

Mobiles can't be used in classrooms, the refectory or in corridors during the school day at the private Ashford School, but may be used in the coffee shop and outside during break times.

A school spokeswoman said: "We have a one-to-one iPad implementation and our teachers and students are active users of technology.

"However, if a student iPad is out if battery or if their iPad has accidentally been left at home, provided the teacher agrees, students in some cases can use their mobile phones in the classroom.

"Sixth form students have their own wifi enabled devices - most choose to use either an iPad or a Microsoft Surface - phones have not proved suitable for displaying textbooks.

"Setting behaviour expectations and reinforcing consistent practices has helped encourage the best behaviour of mobile phone usage from our students.

"On the odd occasion a pupil is caught using a mobile phone in restricted areas or in lessons without the teachers permission, it is confiscated and held at the school reception until the end of the school day.

"It is important for students to know when and how to use their mobile phones.

"We educate our pupils about the opportunities and potential harm that phones can bring from using creative and collaborative apps to learning to be safe online.

"During the school day, we expect our students to put away their phones during their lessons and only to use it during the times, and in the areas, they are allowed to do so."

The Norton Knatchbull School

Interim head teacher Sue Kelly - who is standing in until new head Ben Greene arrives in the summer - says the school does not have a total ban on mobile phones.

She said: "We value their potential as a learning tool.

"Our school has a strong wifi network which has recently been expanded and we do allow all students to connect to this.

"Mobile phones can therefore be used in lessons, as and when directed by the teacher, for learning purposes.

"They can also be used during break and lunch times.

"However, they cannot be used while walking around the site."

Highworth Grammar School

Assistant head teacher Leigh-Ann Perrian says mobiles may be used in classrooms during lessons.

The school's mobile phone policy states: "We do not allow the use of mobile phones in the corridors while moving between lessons but they may be used in lessons with the teacher’s permission as a tool to aid learning.

"We recognise that mobile phones are part of a teenager’s everyday life and that they also play an important role in helping students to feel safe and secure.

"Any mobile devices which interfere with teaching and learning, or are used inappropriately, are confiscated."

• The North School, Tenterden's Homewood and Wye Free School did not reply when approached for comment.