Baston House School

Baston Road
Hayes
Bromley
Kent
BR2 7AB
T: 020 8462 1010
E: info@bastonhouseschool.org.uk
W: www.bastonhouseschool.co.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Rachel Martin BA (Hons), PGCert NASENco

28th June 2023

Dear Parent(s) / Carer(s),
I am writing to let you know that we have recently seen several incidents related to the misuse of mobile
phones and specifically the use of WhatsApp. These incidents are involving children in several year groups
who are members of WhatsApp chat groups.
Some members of these groups have been using inappropriate language and making unkind comments. They
have also, on occasion, added other students to the groups and shared other students’ phone numbers
without their permission.
Please be aware that the minimum recommended age to use WhatsApp is 16; please do check your child’s
phone usage and carefully monitor what your child is viewing online. Please ask your child to tell you if they
receive anything inappropriate from another student or from any phone app. We are encouraged that
several students have shared concerns about these groups with us, so we have been able to help them
navigate the issues.
As a school we are currently considering a complete mobile phone ban from September 2023. This would
mean that students will be required to hand their phones into staff at the beginning of the day and the phone
will not be returned until the end of the day.
We would like to consult with parents regarding the use of mobile phones and would be grateful if you could
complete the survey below with your thoughts about a mobile ban.
Mobile Phone Survey
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of our policy on mobile phones which can be found on
our school website within the Online-safety policy. Please see appendix below:
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,

Rachel Martin

Options Autism (7) Limited, trading as Baston House School. Registered in England as Company No: 03699012.
Registered Office: P Bloom Limited, Atria Spa Rd, Bolton BL1 4RG.
 Baston House School
Baston Road
Hayes
Bromley
Kent
BR2 7AB
T: 020 8462 1010
E: info@bastonhouseschool.org.uk
W: www.bastonhouseschool.co.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Rachel Martin BA (Hons), PGCert NASENco

Appendix 1 – From Online Safety Policy

9.0 MOBILE PHONES AND PERSONAL DEVICE
While mobile phones and personal communication devices are commonplace in today’s society, their use
and the responsibility for using them should not be taken lightly. Some issues surrounding the possession of
these devices are they:
• Can make pupils and staff more vulnerable to cyberbullying
• Can be used to access inappropriate internet material
• Can be a distraction in the classroom
• Are valuable items that could be stolen, damaged, or lost
• Can have integrated cameras, which can lead to child protection, bullying and data protection issues.
The school takes certain measures to ensure that mobile phones are used responsibly in school. Some of
these are outlined below.
• The school will not tolerate cyber bullying against either pupils or staff. Sending inappropriate, suggestive
or abusive messages is forbidden and anyone who is found to have sent a message of such content will be
disciplined.

For more information on the school’s disciplinary sanctions read the school behaviour policy.
• A member of staff can confiscate mobile phones, and a member of the senior leadership team can search
the device if there is reason to believe that there may be evidence of harmful or inappropriate use on the
device.
• Mobile phones must be switched off during school lessons or any other formal school activities.
• Any pupil who brings a mobile phone or personal device into school is agreeing that they are responsible
for its safety. The school will not take responsibility for personal devices that have been lost, stolen, or
damaged.
• Images or files should not be sent between mobile phones in school.
• If staff wish to use these devices in class as part of a learning project, they must get permission from a
member of the senior leadership team.

Options Autism (7) Limited, trading as Baston House School. Registered in England as Company No: 03699012.
Registered Office: P Bloom Limited, Atria Spa Rd, Bolton BL1 4RG.