Phones

There needs to be careful consideration of this area.

Staff personal mobile numbers can be used between staff and for making contact to and from College when needed. However personal mobile phone numbers must not be given to pupils.

Therefore:

1) If one of the staff involved already has a College mobile, then this number can be used and given to pupils and parents for use in any emergency

2) A College trips mobile can be booked (booking form can be found here). This can then be used for both incoming and outgoing calls, with both parents and pupils, if required, but must not be used for anything other than school business. Phones can be picked up and returned to the Porters Lodge - but must be booked in advance so that the right number can be on all relevant paperwork.

3) It is possible to call forward from a College landline number. This will enable pupils to call a landline and be connected to a teacher's personal mobile phone. In this instance, if a member of staff needs to call a pupil they should ideally get another pupil to make the call. If this is not possible and a call is urgent, then the member of staff should use their phone with the number withheld, and should fill in a report of the phone call and the reasons for it as soon as possible. It would be good practice to ensure another member of staff hears the call being made. A report form can be found here.

4) If staff are going to remote areas, they should try and find out if there are issues with mobile phone reception. It might be possible to hire a satellite phone - but the cost of this may then have to be factored into the trip.

5) Wherever possible, the landline numbers of hotels / other accommodation should be issued.

                        EAW 20/09/10