SHOEBURY High School has brought in a zero-tolerance policy on mobile phones in a bid to improve pupils’ learning and reduce cyber-bullying.

Sally Carrington, assistant headteacher at Shoeburyness High School, said: “We wanted to remove the distraction of mobile phones in lessons in order to help improve our results.

“The decision to ban smart phones has had a major impact on improving results.

“Although we have also been approached by a number of staff who have been targeted on social media without their consent.

“As a rule we strongly advise our employees not to use social media platforms, as this can encourage cyber-bullying.

“Our current safeguarding policy instructs all staff to report any incident of cyber-bullying.”

The ban has been in place for a number of years. However, a recent survey carried out by insurance company Loveit Coverit, based in Shoeburyness, sampled 130 schools to find out how many schools have a mobile phone ban in place.

Essex as a whole appeared to be the most lenient in the country with only 13.8 per cent of schools in the area having a total phone ban in place, compared to 23.4 per cent across the rest of the country.

Parents were also surveyed on topics relating to children and mobile phones, including their usage at school and found that only 1.5 per cent of parents felt that children should have access to their mobile phones throughout the school day.

Educator Matthew Kearney disagreed. He said: “If students want to investigate, collect data, receive personalised and immediate feedback, record media, create, compose or communicate with peers in and beyond the classroom, using mobile apps is ideal.”

Jan Bloomfield, from Essex Police, said a mobile phone can keep a child safe.

She said: ““I have two teenagers and although phones have sometimes been the cause of arguments, I’d always want them to have them at all times whilst they’re out and ensure they’re charged.

“A basic phone will keep you safe though – you don’t need apps and online tech to keep you safe, you just need to be able to make a call or text.”