Dear Parent and Carers
I am writing to clarify some changes to our procedures in school regarding mobile devices from September.
The key points are:
- A reiteration that students in Years 7, 8 and 9 do not require a mobile device in school and therefore should not have one unless there are exceptional circumstances which have been agreed with the student’s Head of Year.
- If a mobile device is seen in school from the moment when a student arrives in the morning then it will be confiscated.
- Mobile devices which are confiscated from students will now have to be collected by a parent or carer from the main school reception.
We will explain these changes to students when they return at the start of the academic year in September. We also continue to review our position on mobile devices and will be conducting surveys with students, staff and families in order to inform this during the autumn. A list of Frequently Asked Questions around our approach to mobile devices is available on the school website.
Thank you for your support with this matter.
John Marston, Headteacher, July 2025
The following Mobile Phone FAQ relates to day to day in school, school trips and school events for Years 7-11
FAQ
I need to contact my child during the school day, how can I do this?
You can get a message to your child via the school office. You can call us on 01491 837115 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
My child needs to contact me during the school day, how do they do this?
Your child can access the contact numbers you have shared with us and call you via our student phone in the school office.
My child has a medical need that specifically requires them to access a mobile phone e.g. Diabetes. Are they allowed a phone in school?
Absolutely. Any students with Diabetes will have a Health Plan in place that is supported by the School Health Nurse Team and shared with teachers.
My child needs a mobile phone so I can contact them on the journey to and from school. Where can they keep it during the school day?
The school is unable to provide a place for your child to keep their phone during the school day. No phones are to be seen in school from the time they arrive in school until the end of the school day. If a phone is seen, it will be confiscated, and the parent contacted to pick it up. If your child must have a phone for travel reasons, then it would be a decision for you to make with these arrangements in place.
We would encourage all families to strongly consider if it is possible to make alterative arrangements that don’t require a phone, depending on the journey your child makes. If you feel that your child must have a phone for their journey, we would strongly encourage a phone that prevents access to the internet, social media and doesn’t have a camera but enables simple messaging and phone calls.
How will my child be able to view their timetable without a phone?
Students receive a printed copy of their timetable on their first day in September. We are happy to print additional copies as required but current students have shared ‘top tips’ of placing it in a plastic wallet to preserve copies or even laminate it.
Parents can access their child’s timetable on Satchel:One (website or app).
How will my child access their homework if they can’t use their phone to check the homework app?
We use Satchel:One to set homework; this is a website. Parents can download a supporting app to view the homework but there is no need for students to access the app as they can view homework on the website on a computer or similar device.
What about digital homework set? How will they access MathsWatch or similar without a phone?
MathsWatch is a website rather than an app and can be accessed on a laptop or another devise, supported by parent supervision.
My child takes part in after school activities, so I need to be able to contact them after school hours – how do we manage this?
The school office is open until 4pm and can receive and share messages if your child’s activity is on site.
If your child’s activity is off site e.g. a sports fixture, then the details of the fixture will be shared on the Satchel:One website. This will include an estimated ETA when we would ask parents to pick up. Please note that members of staff are leading or often officiating these fixtures so won’t always be able to update families. Please be understanding of this should they arrive later than the ETA.
My child is on a school trip during the school day. Can they bring a phone to take photos?
If your child would like to take photos on a school trip, they are welcome to bring a camera that is not on a mobile phone.
My child is on a school trip outside of school hours. How will I know if the ETA changes?
You will receive details about the trip in advance. This will include an ETA back at school. You will be notified of any change to this, or sometimes receive a confirmation of the arrival time via email (We use Edulink to facilitate this). We aim to send this to parents as we leave the destination, or when we are approximately 1 hour away.
What if they wish to make a purchase on a trip?
Students will be unable to do this using their phones so they will need to bring the bank card linked with their account or cash.
Are there any trips that my child requires a phone for?
We are currently reflecting upon a small number of trips where students would benefit from having a way to make contact via a mobile phone or device e.g. French and German Exchanges and some visits abroad in Years 10-13. We will continue to keep families updated.
The trip my child is participating in is an overnight stay or several nights away. Are the arrangements around phones any different for these trips?
No, these would usually remain the same as phone free trips allow students to enjoy the trip without any distractions and ensure that the school is able to safeguard students. Students accessing mobile phones on such trips can lead to challenges that are outside of the control of the members of staff supporting the trip. A member of the Senior Leadership team is the home contact for all trips and we will share the phone number you can contact them on with you in advance of the trip, so if you need to make contact with your child on the trip we can facilitate that. Similarly, Wallingford School staff accompanying the trip will make contact with you if required. We want as many of our students to take part in overnight or residential trips as possible, but if you decide that your child is unable to be away from home without a mobile phone then we would ask you to consider how they can be supported so that they can participate in the trip or if they should participate at all. Please speak with your child’s tutor or Head of Year in advance of the trip so that we can work together to find a way to support all concerned.
What about the use of Smart watches, GPS trackers or Air Tags?
Whilst a Smartwatch may seem like an alternative, it can be highly distracting for a child to have this on their wrist during the school day. Parental controls can vary significantly, and all watches must be removed during assessments to meet exam requirements.
If you feel that you need to track your child whilst they are at school or on a school trip, we would strongly encourage you to speak with your child’s Form Tutor or Head of Year so we can understand more about why this is felt necessary and support as appropriate.
Where can I find more information about Online Safety or digital support for parents?
In addition to the resources on our website, including those from our recent parent workshop (11.7.25), information and support for parents can be found here;
Oxfordshire Safeguarding Board
National Safety Online - information about apps and games
https://www.bbc.com/ownit/the-basics
DFE - advice for parents and carers on cyberbullying
Looking to go phone free?
- Speak with your child to discuss the arrangements for the day to limit the need to make contact throughout the day
- Consider a designated meeting point and time if your child is attending an after school club or fixture
- Outside of school hours, consider “check ins” to build confidence that you and your child can manage without a smartphone
- Support your child to learn parent or carer phone numbers in case of emergency outside of school hours.