Announcement

Wednesday 10th December 2025 

Dear Parents and Carers,

At Caterham High we take the safety and safeguarding of our students very seriously indeed. We want our students to be happy in school, and to foster a love of learning within a supportive and harmonious community.

This is a reminder about an important update to our mobile phone policy for students in Years 8, 9, and 10, which will come into effect from 5th January 2026. Please note that this policy has already been successfully implemented for Year 7 since September 2025.

Year 8, 9 and 10 students will only be allowed to bring a Basic phone to school from 5th January 2026. They will not be allowed to bring any form of a smart phone to school.This means that families will need to switch a child’s current phone, if a smart phone, to a Basic phone and may need to review or adjust any existing mobile phone contracts or arrangements.

We have made the decision to allow only Basic mobile phones after careful consideration and consultation with staff and safeguarding professionals. Basic phones are phones that can make calls and send text messages but do not have access to the internet, social media, or apps.

Reasons:

Safeguarding and Safety: Limiting access to smartphones helps protect students from online risks such as bullying and cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and peer pressure related to social media. It also reduces opportunities for covert photo or video sharing, which can lead to serious safeguarding concerns.

Wellbeing and Mental Health: Research shows that excessive screen time and social media use can negatively impact young people's mental health, sleep, and self-esteem.

Focus on Learning: Reducing digital distractions supports a more focused and productive learning environment. Social Development: Encouraging face-to-face interaction helps students build stronger friendships and communication skills.

Reduced Risk of Theft: Basic phones are far less appealing to potential thieves, offering greater peace of mind for students and parents alike.

Lower Cost: Basic phones are generally much cheaper to purchase and run, making them a more economical option for families.

Support for Parenting: By removing access to social media during the school day, this policy can help parents monitor and manage their child’s online activity more effectively at home.

Expectations

Students in Year 8, 9 and 10 may bring a Basic phone to school if necessary for communication before or after school. However, the phone must be switched off and placed in their school bag outside the school gate and before they enter the school site. It must remain there throughout the school day. They may only switch it on and take it out of their bag when they are outside of the school gates and off the school site. This is in line with current policy. 

If a student is found with a smartphone anywhere on school premises, including in their bag (on or off) it will be confiscated and kept securely until a parent or carer is able to collect it from the school office. If there is a repeat instance, we will follow our confiscation policy. In addition, if a student is found with a smartphone on more than one occasion, the school will arrange a meeting with parents to discuss appropriate next steps, which will include a confiscation of the smart phone and/or the student being banned from bringing any phone to school altogether.

We are also introducing a ban on group chats, as growing evidence shows they can be highly damaging to students’ wellbeing. These are unregulated spaces that often lead to inappropriate communication, social exclusion, and online bullying. Because they are difficult for adults to monitor and can escalate issues rapidly, group chats within our community are banned for Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students.

Banning them supports our commitment to safeguarding, mental health, and positive peer relationships. We understand that some parents may be concerned about tracking their child’s whereabouts. To support this, we have included an appendix with information about discreet GPS tracking devices that can be placed in school bags or attached to keyrings. These offer peace of mind without the need for a smartphone.

Please note that the school will also not be responsible or liable for any phone, of any type, or any tracker, or electrical or phone associated equipment, that is bought to school, either for loss, theft, or damage on or off the site, or any other reason, at any time, or under any circumstances.

For details regarding the Year 11 mobile phone policy, please read the letter, which you can access via the following link: Mobile-Phone-Policy-for-Year-11-Students-for-academic-year-Sept-2025-to-August-2026.pdf

We appreciate your support in helping us create a safe, focused, and inclusive environment for all students.

Thank you for your continued support.

With regards, Ms. Chapple, Headteacher and the Senior Team 

 

Appendix: GPS Tracking Devices To support families who wish to track their child’s location, here are some possible options:

Please note that the school does not endorse these products. There are other products available, and parents and carers should do their own research and understand the product they choose before considering which tracker they may wish to purchase.

The school takes no responsibility for parental choice of trackers. Parents and carers may also wish to consider a protective case or cover for their child’s phone.

Please note that the school will also not be responsible or liable for any phone, of any type, or any tracker, or electrical or phone associated equipment, that is bought to school, either for loss, theft, or damage on or off the site, at any time, or under any circumstances.