The ethos of Watford Grammar School for Girls favours principled action over hopeful ideas, an attitude which is summed up by the alternative motto: “I can do it and I will do it”.
For this reason, our policies, particularly those which directly affect the pupils – Behaviour, Bullying, Child Protection – are written as accessible codes of conduct or as procedures to be followed in certain circumstances. The school believes that only when specific examples of bad behaviour occur should there be an automatic punishment. These specific misbehaviours include physical violence, smoking, involvement with drugs or alcohol, and misbehaviour on school trips. The automatic sanction will usually be a fixed term exclusion from school (or being barred from participation in school trips for a given period).
The School Rules, was developed through collaboration of pupils and staff to reflect the values of our school, and acts as the basis of our Behaviour Policy. It specifies the expectations the school holds for the conduct of pupils and staff. The school also has a clear set of rules, which give clarity for students about how they should behave.
The school’s values include inculcating an understanding in the pupils of appropriate behaviour in any situation, whatever the degree of formality.
The Behaviour Policy will be reviewed regularly.
All girls are expected to wear correct school uniform. The school maintains a stock of very good quality sustainable uniform at very reasonable prices, many items hardly used. Year 7 Students in Year 7 are not permitted to bring a smartphone onto the school premises but are permitted to bring a basic mobile phone (also known as a ‘feature phone’ or ‘brick phone’) onto the school premises but this must not be used, seen or heard during the school day (including before and after school) or it will be confiscated and held by the Headteacher for one week, including a weekend, and must be collected by a parent/carer. Smart watches and any other internet or Bluetooth enabled technology, other than a school device, may not be worn or used at any time during the school day and will be subject to the same confiscation rules. All internet and Bluetooth enabled technology other than the school device must be kept in a locker and not in a school bag or blazer. Years 8 – 11 Students in Years 8 – 11 may bring a smartphone or basic mobile phone into school but if used, seen, or heard at any time during the school day (including before and after school) it will be confiscated and held by the Headteacher for one week, including a weekend, and must be collected by a parent / carer. Smart watches and any other internet or Bluetooth enabled technology, other than the school device, must not be worn or used at any time during the school day and will be subject to the same confiscation rules. All internet and Bluetooth enabled technology other than the school device must be kept in a locker and not in a school bag or blazer. Years 12-13 Students in Years 12 and 13 may use their personal mobile phones and Internet or Bluetooth-enabled technology in the Tennet Centre and on the Sixth Form patio at any time during the school day, including before and after school. Outside of these areas, if this technology is used, seen or heard at any time during the school day, including before and after school, it will be confiscated for one school day, including overnight, and collected by the student at the end of the school day once the confiscation period has ended. Advice for families with children starting at Watford Grammar School for Girls in September 2026 At WGGS, we are committed to creating a calm, focused, and safe learning environment where every student can thrive. Following careful consideration and consultation: Acceptable Alternative Devices We recognise that some families wish for their children to carry a phone for safety and travel purposes. To support this, students in Year 7 (and other year groups if parents/carers want a smartphone alternative) may bring a basic mobile phone (also known as a “feature phone” or “brick phone”) that meets the following criteria: Examples of suitable models include: Nokia 105, Doro 1370, Alcatel 1066, Punkt MP02, and other similar basic handsets available from major retailers. The following article provides more detail on these types of phones. https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/gadgets-tech/best-dumbphones Any phone or mobile device that connects to the internet, downloads apps, or functions as a smartphone will not be permitted. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school for further advice and guidance. Advice for families with children starting in Year 8 – 13 at Watford Grammar School for Girls in September 2026 Why we are making this change We have taken this decision to support our students’ learning, wellbeing, and safety. Research and feedback from schools nationwide show that removing smartphones from the school day: The school supports the use of devices such as laptops and tablets that must use the filtering provided by the school network to ensure that all student access to online resources is appropriate for their age group and learning needs. What is the sanction for being found with a mobile phone or internet / Bluetooth enabled device at any time during the school day? Years 7-11 The item will be confiscated and held by the office of the Headteacher for one week, including a weekend, and collected by a parent/carer. Years 12-13 The item will be confiscated and held by the office of the Headteacher for one school day, including overnight, and collected by the student at the end of the school day once the confiscation period has ended. If the confiscation takes place on a Friday, the item can be collected on the Monday. Why is it kept for a week in Years 7-11? The period of a week ensures the consistency for all pupils and such an extended period ensures the student rarely repeats the offence. If the sanction were shorter i.e. four days, then if the item was confiscated on a Monday, it would be returned by the weekend; however, if it were confiscated on a Wednesday, then it would be retained over a weekend. It is important that sanctions are consistent and fair and the sanction of one week ensures all students will experience one weekend without their device. Are you legally allowed to confiscate a student’s property? Government legislation does allow for schools and headteachers to confiscate property: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/40/section/94. The school is required to ensure that students and parents are informed of the school’s policy and that measures are put in place to enable pupils to remain safe. The school makes its position regarding students’ mobile phones and internet or Bluetooth-enabled technology very clear and allows pupils to call home from the school office. We also provide supervised study for one hour each day for any pupil who needs to stay on site for a parent to collect them. My child has learnt her lesson. Can she have it back before the end of the week/over the weekend? The Headteacher does receive requests from parents to return their child’s confiscated items to them before the end of the week of sanction. The Headteacher has refused this request on each occasion and does not intend to relent in the future. How can my child be kept safe without her phone? The school has basic phones that your child may borrow for the period of the confiscation. If you do not wish your child to travel home without her phone then she may remain in school, either in the Study Club or in the Tennet Centre if she is a sixth former, until an adult can collect her by 4.30pm. After 4.30pm she may wait in the ‘Safe Space’ which is found in the reception of Fuller Life in the Sports Centre. All students may also ask to use a landline phone to contact home at the school office.
Join us for our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 11th November 2026, 4:30-6:30pm. Meet our staff and students, and discover the courses and opportunities available at Watford Girls. No booking required.