Students and staff at Whitburn Academy are working together to forge a way ahead on the future of mobile phones in schools.
A presentation by the depute head and senior pupils to councillors this week promised a response ready for parents by the end of the year.
The school is keen to work within guidelines decided earlier this year by councillors in the Education Executive when it was decided that an outright ban was impractical.
Steven Mackenzie and senior pupils, Mitchell and Brooke, gave a presentation to councillors on the Fauldhouse and Breich Valley Local Area Committee.
Chair of the committee Councillor Craig Meek asked: “I’d be quite keen to hear about mobile phone use. How do you guys feel about potential restrictions?”
Mitchell told councillors that phones offered practical help to pupils in the senior years especially when it came to revising.
Brooke said she didn’t think that a total ban would be practical because parents like to be able to keep in touch. She added “it helps with learning through the senior years.”
Mr Mackenzie said: “Where we are just now is trying to reduce the negative social media side of mobile use in the school.”
The presentation detailed responses from parents pupils and staff.
Many parents stressed the need to maintain contact with their children but acknowledge concerts about potential distraction and misuse in schools.
Among pupils, views were mixed. Some thought they were useful for learning, others found them distracting and preferred a break.
Teachers and other staff favour strong and consistent guidelines to improve focus, manage behaviour and reduce screen time.
Councillor Pauline Clark said: It sounds like the school really makes an effort to reach all the kids, especially helping those often the hardest to reach. That’s really good.”
Scotland’s largest teaching union has maintained that a ban is the only way to ensure children’s mental health is preserved, arguing that schools cannot police phone use outside classrooms.
Further guidance is expected later this year from the Scottish Government. In West Lothian the council has committed to strengthen guidelines for phone use in schools though responsibility for in school policy is down to each school management team.
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
