Every year, all pupils within the Foundation are required to read and sign to the ‘Acceptable Use of ICT’ policy, which gives further details about the use of phones and devices including Smart watches (which are discouraged) and any other devices which can access the internet. 

Some key points on phone and device use are outlined below, as an additional reminder of expectations.  

Phones 

No mobile phones should be in evidence anywhere on the Foundation site at any time before 4.00pm, including before school, with the following exceptions: 

Sixth Form students may use their phones within the Sixth Form Centre; 

NB: Year 7-11 students may use their phones whilst attending Before-School Supervision; 

Phones may occasionally be used (e.g. to send an important message home) with permission and under the close supervision of a member of staff. 

This expectation is important to safeguard Early Years students with whom the campus is shared. 

Phones should be placed in a student’s bag before arriving on the campus each morning and before leaving Before-School Supervision or the Sixth Form Centre.  

In Y7-11, phones are turned off and placed in lockers as soon as students enter their classroom in the morning and must not be collected from lockers until 4.00pm. Sixth Form students may carry their phones with them during the school day. , 

If a student’s phone is in evidence during the school day before 4pm, (with the three exceptions above), a teacher has the right to confiscate the phone and it is taken to Reception for collection at the end of the school day. A lunchtime detention is usually given. Repeated offences may result in further sanctions such as the phone being handed in on arrival at school each day for the rest of the term. Whilst reasonable steps will be taken to keep a confiscated phone safe, neither the teacher or the school is legally responsible for any loss or damage to the phone (Education and Inspections Act 2006 , Section 94). When confiscating a phone, consideration is given to whether the punishment is proportionate in all the circumstances, and whether there are any personal characteristics relevant to the student, including their age, special educational needs or disability affecting the imposition of the penalty. 

After 4pm, students may use their phones after they have vacated the school building or once in supervised After-School Care. 

Devices 

The school operates a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. When not being carried by the student, devices should be stored safely in lockers, or another specified safe space as directed by a Head of Year.   

Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form students may use devices in the Library and Quiet Zone for academic purposes only during private study periods, break and lunchtime  

 Phone and devices cannot be recharged in school. 

The school cannot accept responsibility for phones and devices. 

The taking of photographs, videos and sound recordings in school and on school transport is strictly forbidden. In addition, the Sixth Form Code of Conduct states “We use technology with care: we do not use or take images of any student without permission.” 

Smart watches are discouraged.  

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) 

You can find further details on our BYOD website page that contains a huge amount of information including: 

• The philosophy behind BYOD 

• The blended learning approach we use at King’s High 

• Windows device specification 

• Purchasing information 

• FAQs 

Acceptable use of ICT Policy

In order to provide safe and effective learning and communication tools and technologies in school, we offer pupils access to the internet and email from any school device or from a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) on the Foundation IT network. However, before the School allows students to use these digital tools and technologies, pupils and parents must agree to use the ICT systems in a responsible way, adhering to the School’s Acceptable Use of IT Policy the Behaviour Policy and the Anti-Bullying Policy. 

Please read carefully the Acceptable Use Policy with your daughter. We believe that the engaging and innovative educational benefits afforded by digital tools and technologies exceed any disadvantages. However, ease of access to the system brings new possibilities of exposure to unsuitable material and misuse. The School operates a strict filtering system so that the pupils are protected as much as possible when they use computers and devices in school. However, as with any other area, parents and guardians of minors are, in partnership with the school, responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources. 

In school time, teachers will guide pupils towards appropriate material. At home, families bear the same responsibility for guidance as they exercise with other information sources, such as television, telephones, films and radio.