Highland schools asked to discuss pupils' phone use

Highland Council has asked schools in its area to have discussions round pupils' use of mobile phones in classrooms.

The local authority said excessive use of phones was a "significant issue".

Bans are already in force at Nairn Academy and Grantown Grammar School.

Last month, councillors unanimously backed a proposal from Labour's Michael Gregson and Conservative's Helen Crawford for a wider consultation to be held.

Mr Gregson and Ms Crawford said phones were having a disruptive effect on children and their education.

The proposal agreed by councillors included a commitment from the local authority to support schools that decided to ban the devices.

Other Scottish schools have taken steps to limit access to phones in class time.

Pupils at two high schools in Edinburgh are having to keep their mobiles in lockable pouches during the day under a new phone-free policy.

Students at Portobello High School and Queensferry High School are being issued with special wallets which once sealed require a magnetic pad to unlock them.

Pupils are allowed to keep their phones in their possession but will be expected to keep them in the pouches until the bell rings at the end of their final lesson.

Moray councillors voted last month to bring in stricter guidelines limiting the use of mobiles in schools from August.

Councillors hoped the move would reduce disruption in the classroom, as well as stop some incidents of bullying.

Scottish government guidance allows head teachers to make their own decisions on mobile phone use but Moray Council has decided to introduce blanket guidance.

Moray's new policy would have exemptions for medical use such as diabetes monitoring.

In August, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said headteachers across Scotland were trusted to take the best decisions in the interests of their school communities.