A MAJORITY of British parents want mobile phones banned from secondary schools, according to a survey… but what is the stance in Swindon?

After 60 per cent voted on a poll by pressure group Internet Matters they say the use of mobiles should not be allowed on the premises.

The findings were released as pupils return to school this week with a new intake of Year 7 in secondary schools - it comes in the wake of France’s decision to ban students up to the age of 15 from using phones anywhere on school grounds.

Although St Joseph’s Catholic College have already had this rule in place for over a year and they haven’t looked back since.

Jerry Giles, headteacher of St Joseph’s said: “We changed the policy to what it is now because there was no need for pupils to have their phones on them.

“Since doing this we have found that collectively pupils don’t mind this rule and that their interaction with each other has been much better.”

Issues such as cyber bullying, online grooming and viewing inappropriate content online have become one of the most pressing concerns for parents in the digital age.

There is genuine concern that 11-year-olds will face a perfect storm of digital pressures and the risk of cyberbullying.

The Adver spoke with parents across the town to find out what their stance was on this.

Joanne Jamil’s daughter Jasmina started secondary school at Swindon Academy yesterday, she said: “I think they should be allowed to take their mobile phones to school as long as they are kept in their bags.

“As a parent you worry about your child’s safety walking home and a phone is the first port of contact.

“I agree they should be banned from being used in school time as it’s a distraction.

“It could also make them a target for theft, as well as it being a way for kids to bully others through cyber bullying.”

Samantha Hannon’s kids go to Nova Hreod Academy, she said: “I think they should be allowed phones just in case for any reason the parents need to contact the child instead of going through the main switch board.

“what if a child is getting bullied and they need to call their mum, sister, auntie or someone to help them because they are so upset they need to hear a familiar voice.

“As long as the kids follow the rules and don’t mess around, they should be allowed them.”