Our kids’ behaviour is on the decline, and it’s not hard to see why, says Monmouth Comprehensive School’s headteacher, Hugo Hutchison. Reports from schools across Wales indicate a rise in exclusions—both temporary and permanent. And Hutchison believes the culprits are clear: social media and smartphones.
Discussing with a council committee, Hutchison pointed out the increase in poor conduct at schools, linking it to the rapid societal changes over the last decade. “Kids as young as five to seven have their own smartphones and spend countless hours on social media,” he remarked. This, coupled with some parents being “disengaged” from their children’s education, has made managing behaviour a challenge.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Schools in Monmouthshire have rolled out a “smartphone strategy,” encouraging parents to hold off on giving their kids smartphones until they’re 14. Feedback’s been positive, with parents grateful for the support and not feeling isolated in their decision to restrict internet access for young ones.
During the 2024/25 school year, exclusions skyrocketed, with the days lost more than doubling since 2022/23. While alarming, Hutchison warns against taking these figures at face value. Excluding a child isn’t always about punishment; sometimes, it’s a way to try and reel them back before things escalate.
Interestingly, permanent exclusions rose too, although many were “rescinded” through interventions like transfers or extra support. This shift reflects changing attitudes post-pandemic, with previously staunch anti-exclusion voices becoming more flexible in response to evolving school dynamics.
Ultimately, Hutchison champions strong parent-school partnerships, with face-to-face talks and proactive communication to tackle these issues head-on. While the statistics are concerning, the collaborative efforts between schools and parents show promise in addressing behaviour challenges in our schools.