Headteachers in Castle Point have already said no to the use of mobile phones in school, after a Southend school banned picture phones after they were used to take inappropriate photos.

Shoeburyness High School has banned the hi-tech equipment after they felt students could face sexual assault charges after it was discovered boys were taking photos underneath girls' skirts, using mobiles.

However, schools in Castle Point already have a stringent policy against the use of mobile phones.

Deputy headteacher of King John School in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley, Gary Pratt said action would be taken if mobile phones were used inappropriately.

He said: "We allow students to bring mobiles to school as long as they are not switched on or used in lessons.

"We trust our students to be sensible and responsible and if there were problems we would deal with them."

He added the school has had no incidents of inappropriate picture taking but could understand why the Shoebury school has banned the phones.

He said: "We have not had any incidents. If this happens we will take action and tell the school what has happened."

Published Tuesday January 6, 2004

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