A CITY school has started confiscating pupils' mobile phones for up to a week in a crackdown over their use in the classroom.
Kingswood Academy says the get-tough move is necessary to enforce discipline.
Until recently, teachers at Kingswood confiscated phones being used by students in class until the end of the school day.
But that has now been extended to a five-day week, including overnight and at weekends.
The move has angered some parents.
Theresa Kay contacted the school after her 14-year-old daughter Magen had her phone taken off her by a teacher.
She said: "Magen was only checking the time on her phone but the teacher saw her and that was enough to warrant a confiscation.
"I didn't have a problem with that, but when I found out the school was going to keep her phone for a week, I felt I had to complain.
"Eventually, they agreed she could have it back at the end of the day but we were told it was going to be an exception to the rule.
"I think it's wrong because it's unfair to punish them outside of school when they might need their phone for an emergency."
Another parents, who did not wish to be named, also complained after his 15-year-old son had his phone confiscated for a week.
He said: "I agree with the school taking a phone for a day because they shouldn't be messing around with them in class.
"But if anyone is going to take my son's phone off him for a week, it's going to be me, not the school.
"It think it's a step too far."
In a statement, a school spokesman said: "Schools are places of learning and discipline is in place to ensure that every child achieves the highest possible standards of learning during their school careers.
"The use of mobile phones during lessons is a major distraction, not only to their learning but also to others around them.
"While a number of schools have banned mobile phones completely on their premises, Kingswood Academy has banned them from places of learning during class time, but permits their use during break and lunchtimes.
"If a student ignores the request from a teacher to put away their phone, it will be confiscated for up to a week.
"This policy was introduced in April and applies to everyone.
"It is essential that young people, and their parents, understand why sanctions like these are in place in schools, as they are in the workplace."
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