A school is to introduce a permanent ban on mobile phones during the academic day after a trial showed that pupils’ concentration improved and they focused more on their work.

Glenalmond College, a 360-pupil boarding school near Perth, became one of the first schools in Scotland to implement a ban at the start of the autumn term in September.

The students at the school, where fees for senior pupils are up to £11,500 per term, have to leave their phones in their lockers until the end of lessons with no access even during break times. Those found to be breaking the rules were warned that they would have devices confiscated entirely for 24 hours.

In results that will fuel the debate over banning the use of smartphones in schools, senior staff said that concentration levels and focus on academic work had noticeably increased.

Pupils were also benefiting from being more engaged with each other during breaks in the school day rather than using their phones in isolation.

Kilgraston, a Catholic private school for girls in Bridge of Earn, Perthshire, which also introduced a ban in September, has reported similar initial results.

Read more at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boarding-school-glenalmond-college-s-mobile-phone-ban-boosts-learning-kvdk6f2dm

Maltman's Green girls take gold, silver and bronze medals at BSGA acro regionals.

On Sunday 17 March the Maltman's Green gym squad girls competed at the BSGA (British Schools Gymnastics Association) Southern Region Acrobatic Schools Competition at Southampton Gymnastics Club with an incredible set of results.

Lilianne took the gold medal in tumbling, Alessia and Lilianne took gold for their acro pair, the A-Squad took gold for their group sequence, the B-Squad took silver for their group sequence, and Elizabeth and Katerina took bronze for their acro pair.

An amazing achievement. These girls will now take part in the National Finals in May.

Read more at: https://www.maltmansgreen.com/1934-fantastic-results-at-bsga-southern-region-acrobatic-schools-gymnastics-competition/