MOBILE phones will be collected from pupils at the start of lessons from next week at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School as part of a major change in phone use.

The school announced the change in its newsletter, stating that the misuse of mobile phones and social media such as Snapchat had started to ‘creep’ into lessons.

The school said in the newsletter: “From Monday, February 26 there will be a major change to the rules concerning the use of mobile phones for students at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School.

“The proliferation of mobile phones and their use and misuse by students in schools is a relatively recent development.

“We do not want to ban mobile phones completely. We acknowledge that they can, on occasions, have benefits in the classroom.

“The misuse of mobile phones, and in particular social media platforms such as ‘Snapchat’, has begun to creep into lessons.

“This is creating distractions which impact on a child’s ability to remain on task, as well as taking the focus of teachers away from delivering learning.

“Some social media networks, particularly Snapchat, are being used to bully and intimidate during the school day when children are in lessons

“Therefore, whilst recognising the potential benefit of having access to the internet as a learning tool, policy and process will be modified.

“At the start of each lesson mobile phones will be collected.

“If the teacher feels there is an appropriate reason they will allow the phone to be used as a learning tool.

“Permission will not be given by any teacher for a student to use their phone to make calls or send texts.

“We strongly recommend that if your child has a phone their name is clearly marked on it.

“Normal, existing sanctions for the misuse of mobile phones in school will be applied.

“Please note that it is not necessary for a child to bring a phone to school.

“Many parents choose to allow this and this is currently acceptable. Each child is personally responsible for their mobile phone and the school accepts no liability for them.”