Armthorpe Academy

Ambition

Respect

Responsibility

Mere Lane
Armthorpe
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN3 2DA

Pride

March 15th 2016

Our ref: ACo/ANi

Dear Parent/Carer

This is a longer letter than I would normally want to write, but I need to make you aware of an
increasingly significant concern. When students return for the Summer term, on Monday, April 4 th,
mobile phones will be very much under the spotlight. I know that many parents prefer their children to
bring their phones to school because they provide peace of mind and reassurance on the journey to
and from school. As you are probably aware, we currently allow students to use their mobile phones
during break and lunchtime, but not at any other time in the school day, unless given permission by a
member of staff. However, I am becoming very worried by the number and nature of issues which we
are now facing as a result of students misuse of their mobile phones. In just the four weeks since
half term, we have had to deal with:

an increase in use during lessons without the teachers permission (they are sometimes allowed
as a legitimate aid to learning),
the use of mobile phones to record and even livestream during lessons,
students photographing one another against their wishes and posting images on Snapchat,
parents texting and even calling their children during lesson time,
students being very challenging when teachers have tried to confiscate phones after improper
use in lessons, or at restricted times of the day,
and mobile phones as a means of causing distress to other school members, or bringing the
academy into disrepute.

Not only is this behaviour an obvious impediment to learning, it is also generating some extremely
time-consuming issues which are becoming an unmanageable burden to Student Welfare staff in
particular. In some cases, students seem so unable to control their need to use their mobile phones
that we are seeing the characteristic hallmarks of addiction.
This is clearly not a matter which is unique to Armthorpe Academy. A number of schools have taken
the decision to impose a ban on students mobile phones. Until recently, my view has been that they
are a fact of modern living and that our aim, in partnership with parents, should be to educate young
people on the vital importance of responsible use. However, I intend to bring my concerns to the
attention of the academys governors this week with a view to considering whether or not to prohibit
mobile phones from September, not least because the schools which have already taken this step
are reporting that student progress and examination results have improved.
In the meantime, it is important to note interim measures that will be introduced from April 4th.
During assemblies this week, we are clearly defining misuse of a mobile phone as: having phones
out / using them without permission during restricted times of the day.
Anything that can cause distress to other members of the academy, or that can bring the academy
into disrepute will be treated as an abuse of the right to bring a mobile phone into school.
We will be discriminating in dealing with these two issues as follows:
Misuse
Mobile phone to be confiscated and to be collected at the end of the day. No warning required as
the students will receive the warning during assemblies.
Headteacher: Andy Cope
Consilium Academies Trust is an exempt charity
Registered in England and Wales
Company No. 09495671
VAT Registration No. 136 1684 13

Telephone: 01302 831582

Fax: 01302 300757
Email: admin@armthorpe.doncaster.sch.uk
www.armthorpeacademy.org.uk

Part of the Consilium Academies Group

Abuse
Student to be banned from bringing his / her phone to school for a period of 10 weeks and,
depending on the offence, may receive a fixed term exclusion. They will be subjected to spot
checks during that period. If a mobile phone is found on them during a spot check, they will have it
confiscated, spend a day in Safety Net, and the 10 week ban will be re-set.
These measures are intended to restore a state of affairs whereby students can be trusted to
bring their mobile phones to school. It is very much in their interests to adhere to our
expectations, and to comply with our reasonable instructions on this matter.
During next term, we will keep the situation under review. If parents have particular views which they
would like to be taken into consideration, these can be sent to us by letter, or by email to
admin@armthorpe.doncaster.sch.uk under the subject Mobile Phones. I have also asked the Parent
Forum to include this issue as an item on the agenda for their next meeting which is on Wednesday
May 11th.
On a similar note, the first Parent Workshop on internet safety, which I referred to earlier this term in
my letter about social media, will be held on Wednesday, April 20th at 5pm. Further details will be
published nearer the time.
Having said all of this, this has been another very successful term in the academy. A number of
visitors to classrooms have, without exception, been impressed, including the Headteacher and
Deputy Headteacher from Silverdale School, an outstanding school in Sheffield, who wrote,
It was a delight to visit classrooms with you and witness calm, purposeful learning. Students were
articulate and enthusiastic in explaining their learning to us. We were impressed with the pride they
took in their work and the respect shown for their learning environment, their teachers and other
adults, and, of course, each other. They are a credit to their school and their community.
The attitude to learning of Y11 students, in particular, has been generally very impressive this term;
Easter will be a vitally important time for them. Those who devote time to revision during the holiday
will be the ones with smiles on their faces in August. All of the latest research evidence indicates that
playing the long game starting revision early and gradually increasing it as the exams approach is
immeasurably more effective than attempting to cram during the final few weeks. Revision resources
and links can be found on the academy website.
Sport Relief
Friday, March 18th, the last day of the Spring term, will be a non-uniform day in aid of Sport
Relief, a charity which uses sport to raise money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the
world's poorest countries. Students who wish to participate must ensure that they pay a 1.00
contribution to their form tutor during registration on Friday. Though it is not compulsory, we are
encouraging our students to wear sporting attire as various sporting activities which will be running
throughout the day, including football, badminton, basketball and darts. These additional challenges
will cost 20p per entry. All students who are timetabled PE on the day will also take part in a one-mile
challenge, either running or walking the distance with their class and teachers. We hope that you
encourage your child to fully participate in the day.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those parents who have supported us in a variety
of ways this term. Your interest and active involvement in your childs education makes a difference,
and will always be appreciated.
I hope that the Easter break is relaxing and enjoyable for you all.
Yours sincerely

Andy Cope
Headteacher

Armthorpe Academy
Ambition

Respect

Responsibility

Mere Lane
Armthorpe
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN3 2DA

Pride

Headteacher: Andy Cope

Consilium Academies Trust is an exempt charity
Registered in England and Wales
Company No. 09495671
VAT Registration No. 136 1684 13

Telephone: 01302 831582

Fax: 01302 300757
Email: admin@armthorpe.doncaster.sch.uk
www.armthorpeacademy.org.uk