With the growth of technology and subsequent 'surveillance parenting', there has been a growth in popularity of air tags. These are location devices primarily used for finding keys and luggage, now being used to track children, many without their knowledge. We have banned these from trips and visits following the triggering of anti-stalking software on iPhones on trips, the lack of consent to track and the safeguarding issues that arise in revealing the exact locations of children who may have court orders, are looked after (fostered/in care) and those children that need to be protected from this tracking. The details are too many to go into so put simply, they will be removed from bags and rucksacks (using an app) before any trips or visits outside of school, so please remove them from your child's bag on the trip days. Any air tags or trackers found on children on a trip day will have it confiscated and the parent can collect it from the office directly (if the classes have not departed). If they are found on a trip they will be confiscated and the parent can collect from the main office on the return of the group.
This ban on trackers and Air tags has been written into our mobile phone policy and includes a ban on smartwatches (that can take photographs) and other tracking devices (e.g. 'Tile'). Thank you for your understanding with these issues. If there is a serious incident on a trip or visit, the staff act in loco parentis and will contact parents immediately.