Does banning mobile phones stop friction in the classroom?

Head teacher Brian McDermott decided a ban was needed after feedback from teachers.

“We designed it around two particular issues,” he said.

“One was the misuse in classrooms and two, was young people trying to navigate around that by seeking to leave the class for legitimate reasons.

“But then that time out of class being much longer than it had to be.

“Young people were asking to leave class about six times a day and then being noticed with their phone.”

He added young people were asked for their views and presented with the case that “learning is the key business”.

Mr McDermott is happy with the way the ban is running just now, but is keeping an open mind as to what the Scottish government guidance might recommend.

He said: “It’s significantly reduced the use in classrooms.

“It hasn’t eradicated it, but it’s brought a bit of a realisation, made more explicit, mobile phones can be contra learning and that’s a good narrative to have in the school.

“Overall, I am pleased with it, but there’s always room for improvement.”