PUPILS at this school are said to be talking to each other again after they were banned from using their mobile phones during the day.

Instead of sitting around tapping away on their phones, kids are now being encouraged to play and communicate with each other in more traditional ways.

Staff at Bradon Forest School, near Swindon, say it has proved a popular move, not just with teachers and parents, but with some of the pupils too.

Children used to be allowed to bring in their mobiles and use them during break times, and they were also allowed to use them in lessons - with the permission of teachers - so they could use revision apps and do research.

But the policy changed a few weeks ago after a survey of teachers, parents and pupils.

Deputy head Julie Dickson said it came after staff and parents said they wanted a change - and that the technology was interfering with the children’s everyday social interaction.

“There were concerns that the children had their phones in their hands almost permanently in social time,” she said.

Results of the survey showed many – even the children – had the same worry.

The ban was brought in after Easter for the summer term, although not without a few hiccups.

“For the first week we were confiscating a few because people were forgetting,” said Mrs Dickson.

Now, while they are allowed to bring their mobiles into school, students are barred from using them apart from at the end of the day so they can tell their parents of any problems getting home.

They have to be switched off and kept in pupils’ bags, apart from year 11s, who can use them in lessons with permission.

“There are some fantastic revision apps,” explained Mrs Dickson.

On a lunchtime walk around the school she talked to pupils about the rule and found the reaction was very positive.

“The children understood it was happening and they have been fabulous about it,” she said.

Some were disappointed, she said, but added that it was part of the school’s responsibility to educate children that there are a whole range of ways to communicate and that social interaction amounts to more than messaging.

“I think it has been very successful,” she said.

“As a school this is the right way. We’re really pleased that we have the support of the staff of the parents and actually a lot of the students.

"Before we did this you would see them all sitting at tables and they would all be on their phones.”