School administrators have warned students who violate a ban on cell phones that handheld scanners will be used to enforce the rules.

Notley High School & Braintree Sixth Form in Essex said the devices would detect phones during random checks.

His policy, published onlinesaid students would be isolated or excluded from class if they were found with a phone.

However, Kip Hakes, a parenting blogger from Colchester, said he thought the use of scanners was “extreme”.

“It’s a really difficult situation because at school it’s almost like you have a break from your cell phones – and that’s how it should be,” he said.

“I think the handheld scanners are going a bit too far for me, but in some cases I can understand that.”

According to school rules, mobile phones must be handed in at the beginning of the school day and stored in a lockable locker.

Sixth-grade students at the same Braintree site are allowed to use phones in their building, but not in communal areas.

“If a student refuses to give his or her cell phone to a staff member, he or she will be isolated or suspended unless there is a valid reason to do so,” the policy states.

It goes on to say: “A handheld scanner can be used to support random sampling.”

It further stated that exceptions would apply for certain medical reasons and for students on out-of-school trips, among others.

Ann Marie Christian, a child protection consultant, said other schools across the country are also using scanners to detect devices.

“Parents need to go to the school’s website, look for policies and see what it says,” she said.

“If they feel it is unfair, they can of course complain and talk to management.”

Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form have been contacted for comment.