School in mobile ban U-turn
Parents object to phone ruling for First World War battlefield trip
A SCHOOL has tried to ban on teenagers from taking mobile phones on a First World War battlefield trip.
Staff at the school in Edinburgh insisted that phones had to be left at home because texting and social media would be too distracting during the sensitive visit.
But St Thomas of Aquin’s was forced into a U-turn on the ban the following a backlash from parents who wanted to remain in contact with their children.
A group of 40 students aged between 14 to 18 will travel from the Catholic school to Belgium and France in June to visit battle sites, war graves and attend a memorial.
One battlefield tour guide revealed yesterday that some school pupils cannot resist taking selfies at war graves – but said attempting to ban mobiles altogether was the wrong strategy.
Dozens of parents attended a meeting at St Thomas’s this week to discuss the trip and many were surprised to be told all mobiles were to be left behind in Edinburgh. One, who asked not to be named, said: “The teachers were very clear that mobiles are so distracting that the kids would miss out on the benefits of the trip.
“I suspect they are also worried about kids misbehaving with them.”
She added: “I think that’s unfair to the kids because the ones who want to go on the trip know to how to behave and are interested in the war.
“I don’t understand why they can’t take them off them during the day and give them back at night.”
Parents expressed concern that the ban would make it difficult to keep in touch – and could even compromise safety.
The parent said: “A teacher is going to tweet what they’re up to.
“But the kids are going to be allowed time on their own to go off in small groups without a teacher. You never know what could happen and if they’ve got a mobile they can try to get help.
“It would be nice if they could come home with photos from the trip but that’s going to be hard without a mobile.”
The St Thomas trip will take place at a particularly sensitive time, just days after the 100th anniversary of the end of the Second Battle of Ypres.
Edinburgh Council initially claimed the ban was to stop mobiles being lost or stolen and to prevent students running up large bills while abroad.
But the head of the school, Tommy Hughes, later issued a statement confirming the climbdown.
He said: “I’ve discussed it with the staff concerned and pupils can take their phones with the consent of their parents.”