A PEMBROKESHIRE school, which operates a ‘check-in’ facility for pupils’ mobile phones, could become a model followed by others in the county, councillors heard.

The issue of mobile phones and their effect on pupil’s education was raised in a submitted question by Councillor Viv Stoddart, heard at the December 14 meeting of full council.

Cllr Stoddart said: “During a recent visit to Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi by a panel of councillors serving on the council’s Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members were impressed with the school’s mobile phones policy.

“Last month the visiting panel reported back to the scrutiny committee that the system of pupils checking their phones into a locked cabinet at the start of the school day, and retrieving them at the end of the day, had resulted in a 75 per cent improvement in safeguarding, vastly improved behaviour and better communication.

“Will the Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language [Cllr Guy Woodham] tell council how many of our secondary schools have a similar “check-in” mobile phones’ policy which reduces classroom disruption, improves learning and prevents pupils being bullied?”

Responding, Cllr Woodham said St Davids’ Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi was the only school in the county currently operating such a scheme.

He said a recent presentation by the school’s head to other headteachers prior to the recent visit had shown an encouraging difference in behaviour and safeguarding, despite initial teething problems.

He said other schools in the county were monitoring the effects of the policy, with a briefing for school governors expected in the Spring.

Cllr Stoddart welcomed to news, hoping the council would give it support.

Cllr Woodham stressed the council would encourage adoption of similar policies rather than enforce such conditions, but added: “The evidence does seem to support that it makes a significant difference.”

An article on Wales On Line this week focused on the new mobile phone policy at a school, which has received positive feedback from parents, staff, and the headteacher, Mrs. Rachel Thomas. The policy, which is not an outright ban, involves students handing in their phones at the beginning of the school day and retrieving them at the end.

One parent expressed gratitude for the policy, noting that it helped her daughter learn to value her time in school and separate it from phone usage. Another parent observed a transformative impact on their daughter, praising the school for its bold decision. The absence of phones has reportedly led to increased sociability among students.

Staff members have also welcomed the change. Mrs. Thomas relayed comments from teachers who noticed a significant decrease in issues related to inappropriate photos, social media, and group chat related unkindness. They also reported a noticeable improvement in pupils’ social skills and communication, as well as a reduction in distractions from learning.

Mrs. Thomas explained that while the policy isn’t a total ban, it requires students to hand in their phones during the school day, addressing issues like sexting, texting during lessons, and students leaving classes to meet. This decision was made after consulting with parents, staff, governors, and pupils. The policy has led to a more focused learning environment, with only one incident of phone damage and a mix-up in phone retrieval.

Furthermore, the absence of phones in classrooms has stopped students from using them during lessons, leading to better engagement and academic outcomes, especially noted in the mathematics department where students now use scientific calculators instead of phones.