Kerry school extends ban on phones

A Kerry primary school which banned the use of mobile phones and tablets outside school for senior cycle pupils is extending the policy to include all classes.

The withdrawal of devices at Blennerville National School, just outside Tralee, was so that sixth-class pupils could not access social media.

The school introduced the 11-week pilot programme in April after “issues” with messaging groups outside of school with children in sixth class. The content of some of the groups in which the children were involved shocked parents and teachers, and more and more school time was being spent sorting out the issues arising among the children.