Want the best Nottingham news by 9am every day? Sign up to our newsletter! Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Parents and local councillors have expressed mixed feelings over a school's proposed ban of mobile phones.

Text messages were sent out to the parents of children studying at George Spencer Academy in Stapleford stating they will "not be allowed their phones on the site from September".

Kerry Cohen, whose 12-year-old daughter Skye goes to the school in Arthur Mee Road, said she is "100 percent for it".

The 44-year-old domestic cleaner said: "Skye phoned me up moaning about it. She is devastated but she's getting no sympathy from me.

"I'm 100 percent for it because the second week she was at George Spencer she had her phone stolen.

"I think it will take pressure off parents as well. The kids are wanting all the latest technology and flashing their iPhones, but when parents can't afford the latest tech it will take the pressure off.

"My only concern is that Skye texts me when she is staying to do her home work after school, so it acts as communication between the parents and children.

"So I do not know how the school is going to manage that but I think it is what the school needs.

"The kids are there to learn, not mess around. Hopefully it will discipline them so later in life there will be much less crime on the streets."

Deputy mayor and councillor for Stapleford North, Richard MacRae, said he expects teachers to "lead by example".

"One of the biggest things I've heard is that teachers will need to lead by example," he said.

"You cannot have the teachers at the gates using their phones. But some people are so against it and say they're going to send their kids in with their phones anyway.

"You go to school to learn and learn the rules. If you're letting your kid go in with their phone that's not teaching them how it works in the real world.

"There is a reason the school is doing it. If you have got kids in the classrooms using Instagram or Snapchat disrupting the class that's not fair on everyone else.

"It's hard enough being at school anyway. I would say anyone who has got an issue with it should go to the school, not on Facebook as that is not an answer to your problems."

The text from George Spencer Academy reads: "Dear parents and guardians.

"All students have been informed today that they will not be allowed their phones on the George Spencer Academy site from September.

"More information will be available via the bulletin, which will be sent out before we break up for the summer holiday.

"If your son or daughter has any questions about this, please ask them to speak to their learning manager."

A spokeswoman from the Spencer Academies Trust added: "The Trust confirmed that from September, students will not be permitted to use their mobile phones whilst in school."

It is also understood the mobile phone ban will come into place at all Spencer Academy Trust schools from September.