Perthshire’s leading Independent day school has reported seeing a shift in culture among pupils since taking a fresh approach to mobile phone usage on its campus at the beginning of last term.

Morrison’s Academy in Crieff called time on smartphones after returning from the summer holiday in August in response to mounting evidence that overuse can have a detrimental impact on childrens’ mental health, education and general wellbeing. 

Pupils from S1-S5 are now asked to ‘switch off’ and put away their phones and smartwatches before coming through the school gates in the morning to enable them to fully focus on learning. Any phones seen by staff are taken, recorded and handed into the office for collection at the end of the day. 

As part of the new policy, headphones and Air Pods may not be worn and should be out of sight and pupils attending co-curricular activities after school must also switch off their smartphone or smartwatch and keep it in their bag or pocket. 

S6 pupils may use their phones in designated areas however are expected to act as role models to their younger peers at all other times, and pupils who use smartphones for essential medical reasons are permitted to use them for this purpose only.  

Andrew McGarva, Rector at Morrison’s Academy said: “Fundamentally, we want our pupils’ interactions with the digital world to be healthy and proportionate. As a school, we recognise the considerable benefits of the constantly evolving, fast-paced digital landscape for life and learning and mobile devices are an integral part of modern day life. However, with growing research showing mobile phone dependency can have serious repercussions on teaching and learning we felt it was important to achieve a healthier digital balance here on our campus.

“While it’s still early days, it does feel like this has been a positive step. Pupils say they feel a sense of freedom from devices and lunchtimes are more sociable. By creating digital boundaries, we’ve been able to alleviate any anxiety associated with the virtual world and remove pressure on pupils to keep up to date during school hours. The school day is not shaped by algorithms or subject to distraction from alerts and our classroom environment is fully conducive to learning. From a school leadership perspective, our new approach is without a doubt in the best interests of the pupils in our care.” 

The decision to create the new policy was taken by the co-educational school during the summer term, ahead of the guidance issued by the Scottish Government in August that gives headteachers the green light to limit the use of mobile phones in local authority schools. Significant research highlighting the potential challenges associated with over use of mobile phones was presented to staff, pupils and to parents at Morrison’s Academy to prepare them for the introduction of the policy. The response from Senior pupils was initially mixed however many are starting to recognise the benefits. 

S1 pupil Anna added, “I like our school without mobile phones because everyone hangs out and chats together much more now. At break and lunchtime my class is more active and tends to play football rather than spend time scrolling on phones.”

Colin Nicoll, Assistant Rector and Head of Pastoral Care at Morrison’s Academy added that removing mobile phones from the school day has been a step change for pupils who have never known a world without smartphones and use technology to communicate, learn, work and play. He said: “Introducing the policy has required a shift in mindset from our older pupils, who due to the Covid Pandemic have become more dependent on their devices. 

“We were concerned over research highlighting the connection between smartphones and increased levels of anxiety, depression and stress in young people as well as the detrimental impact it can have on a pupil’s attention span and ability to concentrate on tasks.

“What we’ve seen so far, is more sociable children who are chatting in corridors with friends as they move from lesson to lesson and during break and lunchtime. They’re putting more time and effort into building and maintaining friendships. By removing mobile phones from the school day, we create a safer space where pupils are protected from the risks and dangers associated with social media and online bullying.”   

Online coverage of our fresh approach to mobile phones: Perthshire Advertiser’s Facebook page and in the Daily Record.