The parent of a pupil at King David High School in Manchester said she was “shocked and disturbed” by its policy of confiscating mobile phones as a punishment for using them in school, arguing it should consider alternative sanctions.

The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the policy leaves parents unable to contact children in emergencies after school hours and prevents access to the NHS track and trace app for contacting people who may have been exposed to someone with coronavirus.

According to school rules, mobiles are banned for years 7 to 11 during school, while sixthformers may not use them in lessons.

A first offence is punishable by confiscation of the phone for two weeks, while a fourth offence, for a year.

The parent told the JC, “While I appreciate children should follow school rules and not use mobile phones during school hours, I feel confiscating mobile phones after 3.45 pm poses many safety risks.

“Parents cannot track their children using GPS nor can they have any contact in case of emergencies. More importantly, the use of the NHS track and trace app is being hindered during a global pandemic.

“Not being able to access the track and trace facility poses a possible risk to children and their families — not to mention the consequences of not being contactable by track and trace.”

But King David chairman Joshua Rose said the policy was “unequivocal. We have to be really strict because the temptation for kids to use their phones is great but both kids and parents are all well aware of the rules.”

A spokesman for Manchester City Council said, "We would encourage everyone to follow the national safety guidance and regulations that are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including use of the track and trace app by people over the age of 16."

He said that in the case of a student whose phone had been confiscated for 14 days and who had then gone into isolation because of possible exposure to the virus, “her phone was returned to her so she could access her lessons from home, via the school remote teaching system”.