Text A

This is a letter from the headteacher of North Ridge Academy, sent to all Year 10 and Year
11 parents.

Monday, 12th February

Over the last several months our pastoral and academic teams have been observing a
significant shift in the ways students use technology during school hours. Many of our Year
10 and Year 11 students rely heavily on their mobile phones throughout the day—not only
during break times, but often in between lessons and even on their way to supervised study
sessions.

After extended consultation with our senior leadership staff, discussions with governors, and
several concerning reports from both teachers and counsellors, we have decided that a change
is necessary. Starting next term, students in Years 10 and 11 will no longer be permitted to
bring mobile phones onto school premises. If there is a genuine medical or safeguarding
need, families may request individual exemptions.

We fully recognise that mobile phones can offer benefits: they provide quick access to
homework portals, online dictionaries, revision apps, and communication with parents.
However, we strongly believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages during this
critical examination period. Several parents have expressed concern that social media
notifications distract their children late at night, affecting sleep quality. Others have reported
online arguments spilling into the school day, increasing anxiety.

Teachers have also reported that even with existing restrictions, the mere presence of phones
has been enough to reduce focus in class. Too often, students seek to check messages “just
for a second”, which leads to loss of concentration and disrupted learning routines. Our
counsellors have seen a rise in stress levels related to comparison culture on social media,
with students reporting feelings of inadequacy and pressure to maintain a certain digital
image.

Removing mobile phones from daily school life will, we believe, help students regain
academic discipline, improve emotional wellbeing, and reduce the social tensions associated
with online communication. We hope you will support us in this decision, which has been
taken after deep reflection.

Yours sincerely,
Ms. Carter, Headteacher

Text B

A week later, another headteacher from a neighbouring school wrote a private blog post
responding to Ms Carter’s letter. The blog is read by other school leaders and staff.

Last Tuesday, I came across Ms Carter’s announcement that she intends to ban mobile
phones for two entire year groups. I must confess that I was rather surprised by the certainty
with which she presented the decision. In my experience, schools function best when policies
work with students, not against them.

First came the emails from parents at my own school expressing alarm. Some said phones
help their children navigate their busy bus schedules, especially during winter when delays
are unpredictable. Others said that phones offer their children a sense of independence;
removing them, they fear, may create unnecessary anxiety rather than reducing it.

Then the staff opinions began to arrive—some passionate, some bewildered. My computer
science teacher wrote to me (in a rather exasperated tone) that discouraging technology feels
contradictory when we are simultaneously telling students that digital literacy is essential for
twenty-first-century careers. Another colleague shared how revision apps, digital flashcards,
and organisational tools have made an enormous difference to students who struggle with
planning and time management.

What struck me most, however, were the comments from students themselves. Several Year
11 students explained that their phones are their primary method of contacting part-time
employers or coordinating extracurricular activities. One student even pointed out that
without phones, the school would need to extend its office hours just to manage all the
parent-student messages that usually take place privately.

I wholeheartedly agree that excessive phone use is problematic, and yes, social media can be
a dangerous battlefield of comparison and criticism. But removing phones entirely risks
punishing the responsible majority for the behaviour of a distracted minority. Perhaps the real
issue lies not in the devices themselves, but in teaching students how to manage them wisely.

In education, we often talk about preparing students for the “real world”. Well, the real world
is full of devices, notifications, and digital choices. Instead of eliminating technology, might
it not be more effective to help students learn how to navigate it sensibly?

— Mr. Lawson

TASK 1: Directed Writing (40 marks)

Write 250–350 words.

Imagine you are the headteacher of another school in the area. You have read Ms Carter’s
letter and Mr Lawson’s blog. Your staff have now asked whether your school should
introduce a similar mobile-phone ban for Year 10 and Year 11.

Write the speech you will give at your next staff meeting explaining whether or not your
school will adopt this policy.

In your speech, you should:

Gimme advantages and disadvantages of using mobile phones

Advantages :
1. help their children navigate their busy bus schedules, especially during winter when delays
are unpredictable.
.
5. revision apps, digital flashcards, and organisational tools have made an enormous
difference to students who struggle with planning and time management.
6. Well, the real world is full of devices, notifications, and digital choices.
7. that discouraging technology feels contradictory when we are simultaneously telling
students that digital literacy is essential for twenty-first-century careers.

So, what should we do? There are clear advantages to mobile-phone use in school:
improved organisation, personal safety, and enhanced learning opportunities. Yet we cannot
overlook the disadvantages: classroom distraction, online conflict spilling into school, and
unnecessary stress.

After carefully considering both viewpoints, I do not believe a total ban is right for our
school. Instead, I propose a balanced and reasonable policy. Phones must be switched off and
out of sight during lessons, assemblies, and study periods. Students may, however, use them
during break and lunch times — responsibly and respectfully. Alongside this, we will
strengthen our digital-wellbeing programme so that students learn how to manage their
devices thoughtfully and safely.

Our mission is to prepare young people not only for examinations but for life beyond these
walls — a life where technology is everywhere. Let us guide them, rather than remove the
tools they must eventually learn to control.