Parents-Information-Handbook-2016-2017

Page 76
Section 2f - Pastoral Care Arrangements
Students who have been identified as having learning needs and require the use of a laptop may use these
devices once permission has been granted by the Learning Support Department and teaching staff have
been notified. These devices may be carried in a laptop bag around School. Students are not permitted to
use these devices at any other time during the day. Students, who have been identified by the Head of
Learning Support as having a learning need, may only use a mobile phone to assist with their learning
with prior agreement. All staff will be informed of this arrangement and relevant students will thus be
able to carry their phones around with them.
EAL students who have access to translator devices may use these in lessons if permission has been
granted by the EAL Department. EAL students may not use their mobile phones as translators.
No student in the Senior School may use their mobile phone or electronic device in the corridor,
Refectory, Chapel, toilets or any thoroughfare before, during or after School.
Mobile phones or electronic devices must not be taken into an examination room during Public
Examinations as this could result in a disqualification (see Public Examination Guidance for Students
and Parents on the Ratcliffe College website).
On weekday mornings, boarders may use their mobile phone or electronic device in the boarding house
up to 8.15am when their rooms are inspected. Electronic devices or mobile phones must not be taken
into the Chapel or Refectory under any circumstances. They may be used for social calls in the evenings
and at weekends.
The sending or recording of obscene or threatening messages is illegal, as are 999 calls when there is no
emergency. Possession of another person’s mobile phone, without permission, will be considered as
theft and treated as such. The School cannot be held responsible for the security of mobile phones unless
they have been handed into Boarding Staff , Year Heads or the main School Reception for safekeeping.
A copy of the full policy may be found on the School website.
Although personal music systems are not banned in the Senior School, students are strongly discouraged
from bringing them in. Items such as mp3 players and iPods must not be used in class, they must not be
worn while moving around the School and they must not be used in the refectory.
Students in Years 7-11 may only use in-ear headphones. Larger on-ear headphones may be used by
students in the Sixth Form only. All personal music systems are brought to School at the owner’s risk
(see section below about personal property). Parents are strongly advised not to allow students to bring
these items to School.
Section 2f - Mobile Phones and Personal Music Systems