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Response by the Cabinet Member: Many thanks for your timely question around the use of smart phones across Powys schools. Even though the Australian coverage is currently in the news, I would like to reassure you that this is being discussed at a Director and Head of Service level across Wales. So much so, that working with the WLGA and ADEW we have recently reached out to Welsh Government requesting a nationally led position on the use of smartphones and mobile devices in schools. A briefing paper from ADEW and the WLGA (written on behalf of the Directors of Education from all 22 Welsh Local Authorities) has been prepared for the WG Petitions Committee Round Table in January 2025. Currently, we do not have a Powys wide policy as it is a matter for each school leadership and governing body to decide what is best for their own school and their local context. Across a few Powys schools, such as Llanidloes High School and Ysgol Llanfyllin, the governing bodies and leadership teams have implemented restricted mobile phone use during the school day, and early indications suggest improvements in behaviour. You may have seen the press coverage from Ysgol Llanfyllin where they have adopted 'red' and 'green' zones around the school, with the red zones allocated as mobile-free areas. In these areas they have introduced their musical initiative to encourage learners to improve their communications - there are now musical instruments in communal areas for use during break and lunch times. This issue is being discussed widely within our Powys Emotional Health and Wellbeing workstream to support schools in their decisions. However, there is growing and quite vocal pressure from some external agencies who support vulnerable learners, especially CLA (Children Looked After) learners and Young Carers, that these young people become anxious if they cannot contact parents whist in school. It must also be recognised that there is a risk that a ban may affect their school attendance if unable to contact home. As a result, before a Powys or National policy is introduced, we will need to carefully reflect the voice of all stakeholders and work with the schools that have already introduced individual policies to fully evaluate their impact on behaviour, wellbeing, learning and attendance.
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