Youngsters have been banned from bringing mobile phones to school after their headteacher told them: "I fear for your health.", writes Mark Templeton.

Cheney Upper School at Headington, Oxford, will confiscate phones from children under 15 for fear they could suffer brain damage. Sixth formers will be allowed to use mobiles in their common room but must switch them off at all other times.

Alan Lane, headteacher of the 1,000-pupil school, said independent scientific evidence on the dangers of phone use by children gave him no alternative. He also said there had been thefts and losses of mobiles which had wasted valuable staff time.

Mr Lane, who uses a mobile phone himself, said: "We had guidance from the Department of Education which said independent research showed there was a danger to children because they have thinner skulls which absorb more energy from a phone.

"That's not the sort of advice you can ignore and I believe the ban is right. "The use of phones in the school has been a pain in the neck. They are simply not necessary. Parents know they can get an urgent message to their children at any time and if pupils need to make an urgent call they have use of the school phone.

"I do use a mobile phone. But I'm not a pupil under the age of 15 who may be exposed to health risks."

About 20 per cent of pupils at Cheney are thought to have a mobile.

County council education spokesman John Mitchell said: "It is entirely up to each school if they decide to ban mobile phones." The Department of Education and Employment has advised children under 15 to only use mobiles when necessary and use a hands-free kit for calls.

The Oxford Mail recently ran a campaign to "map the masts" in which readers highlighted areas where antennas, also thought to pose a risk to health, were positioned. We also urged people to stop using phones when motoring. The campaign was backed by safety experts and driving organisations.