The government might be planning to crack down on mobile phones in classrooms but one Kent head says they have been banned from her school for four years.

Tina Lee, principal at the Oasis Academy on the Isle of Sheppey, says her secondary school has stopped both pupils and staff using them on its two sites in Minster Road, Minster, and Marine Parade, Sheerness.

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She confirmed: "Mobiles are not allowed at the academy. Not anywhere.

"We put the ban in place about four years ago after significant cyber bullying."

She added: "If I’m honest, the greatest challenge came from older students. It was hard at first but after many confiscations and a period of genuine difficulty we got through."

She said: "Parents are all very supportive and understanding. We ask them to contact the school and pastoral staff if children need to be given an urgent message or information.

"If students are seen using phones they are confiscated until the end of the day. They are taken to Reception and held until they can be collected at 3pm."

She admitted: "There are still challenges. It isn't perfect but the numbers of phones we see being used and then taken are reducing all the time."

Under a new regime, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced yesterday that he wanted to introduce a nationwide classroom ban.

Heads will be able to stop pupils using mobiles at any point in the school day in a bid to end the "damaging effect" that overuse can have on children's mental health.

The government has asked teachers for their views on phone use before it updates its guidance on classroom behaviour and discipline.

Mr Williamson said: "Mobile phones are not just distracting but when misused or overused they can have a damaging effect on a pupil's mental health and wellbeing."

He added: "I want to put an end to this, making the school day mobile-free. No parent wants to send their child to a school where poor behaviour is rife. Every school should be a safe place that allows young people to thrive and teachers to excel."

In a 2013 study, academics reported a 6.41% improvement in pupil performance in schools which had outlawed mobiles.

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