We would like to remind you of our vision to provide every student the opportunity to become a successful learner, in a supportive and safe environment, that positively contributes to wider school life. Unfortunately, the inappropriate use of mobile phones in class is having a detrimental effect on pupil’s learning and caused some safeguarding issues. It has been brought to my attention that a number of pupils are currently not following school procedures regarding the use of mobile phones in school. A number of pupils are getting their phones out in class which leads to a lack of learning and at times confrontations with staff. Some pupils are even leaving the classroom to use their phones. Pupils have also refused therapeutic interventions due to playing games on their phones.

The school allows pupils from the Vocational Hub (V1, V2 & V3) to bring their phones in but not get them out in class. If pupils in the transition hub (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 & T6) bring their phones into school they need to be handed in on arrival or to their form teacher at the start of the day.

It has also been brought to my attention that on occasions pupils are using their phones to take pictures or videos of other pupils. This is a huge safeguarding concern for the school and pupils. Safeguarding students is a top priority for us so can I remind you that taking pictures or videos of pupils in school is not permitted.

If a student requires a phone for the journey to and from school, we provide a safe for the phones to be stored in, as the students enter the building.

If pupils are using their phones inappropriately in school I will follow this up with individual pupils and their parents and if I feel that the policy is not being followed this could result in pupils being unable to bring their phones into school and/or in extreme cases could lead to exclusions or for the SLT/Governing Body to review the policy of having phones in school.

If you need any further advice or support on the use of mobile phones in school, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to working with you in the near future

As you may be aware, the national UK Emergency Alert test is due to take place on Sunday 23rd April 2023. This is a test of the system which will be deployed in case of future national emergencies. It involves an automatic notification to all mobile phones, on all networks, in the form of an alert sound.

Please be aware that victims and survivors of abuse, particularly domestic abuse, may have a secret mobile phone which their abuser is not aware of. From a safeguarding perspective, the sounding of the national alert may place such individuals in danger should their abusers become aware of their secret phone.

We strongly advise that any person known or thought to be vulnerable, or who are or you suspect they may be living with an abusive partner are discretely made aware:

• that the alert will sound even if a mobile phone is switched to silent
• and how to turn off receiving the emergency alert.

If this cannot be achieved discretely you may wish to make the information generally available without raising this as a safeguarding issue.

To turn off the alert on an android phone:

• Go to settings
• Type emergency in the search bar and emergency alert should appear as an option
• Select emergency alerts
• This should take you to a page titled either emergency alerts or broadcast settings
• Click or tap on the blue toggle beside emergency alerts to switch the option off. It will turn grey, and the alert will be switched off.

To turn off the alert on an Iphone:

• Open the settings app
• Select notifications, a red square with a white bell
• Scroll down the notifications screen to the bottom to find emergency alerts
• Tap the toggles to turn the emergency alerts off. They will turn grey, and the alerts will be switched off.

As you may be aware, the National Education Union (NEU) industrial action continues next week with NEU members taking strike action on Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th March 2023. This will lead to school closures across the country. Please be reminded that the strike is happening because of a national dispute between the unions and the government, and not because of any issues at our school. Please see details below regarding our arrangements regarding class closures for Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th March here at Rowhill School:

Wednesday 15th March classes closed:
Primary- Sharks, Pythons & Elephants
Secondary- T4, V1, V2 & V3 (Pupils attending Voice in a million will be allowed to come to school as
this is a pre-arranged trip and is still going ahead)

Thursday 16th March classes closed:
Primary-Eagles & Scorpions
Secondary- T1, T2, T2 Nurture, T3, T5 & T6

Rowhill School will be taking part in Childrens Mental Health Week which runs from the 6th to the 12th Feb.

For more information please visit https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/