Smartphones: Generation Focus
At our school, we are committed to providing a calm, safe, and distraction-free environment where young people can learn, socialise, and thrive. In light of growing evidence regarding the impact of early smartphone access on teenage well-being, and aligned with the Department for Education’s (DfE) national guidance on mobile-free school days, we will be operating a smartphone-free/mobile phone-free environment from September 2026 using lockable phone pouches.
More information will be issued in early September 2026.
National campaigns like Generation Focus and Smartphone Free Childhood highlight what school leaders see in the classroom every day.
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Better Academic Focus: Eliminating the constant buzz of notifications allows for deep concentration and reduces cognitive fatigue.
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Healthier Social Interactions: Without screens to look down at during break and lunchtime, students talk to each other, build stronger friendships, and play.
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Improved Well-Being: A phone-free day provides a vital mental break from the social pressures, instant messaging anxieties, and algorithmic loops of social media.
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Enhanced Safeguarding: Restricting camera and internet access on site drastically cuts down on instances of peer-to-peer online bullying.
We completely understand that parents want to be able to contact their children during the journey to and from school. We fully support this. Students are more than welcome to carry a basic, internet-free "brick phone" for travel safety. Once on school gates, these devices must be turned off and kept securely in a lockable mobile phone pouch.
Creating a healthy digital environment works best when school policy and home habits mirror each other. If you would like to support the wider movement toward a smartphone-free childhood, here are several practical ways to get involved:
1. Explore National Parent Campaigns
There is a rapidly growing network of parents and educators working together to delay smartphone access for children. You can find excellent resources, research, and community groups via these national campaigns:
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Smartphone Free Childhood: A parent-led movement helping families unite locally to delay giving children smartphones. https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/](https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/
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Generation Focus: Focused on protecting young people's attention spans, mental health, and social development from addictive tech. https://www.generationfocus.org/](https://www.generationfocus.org/
2. Form a "Parent Pact" Locally
One of the hardest parts of delaying a smartphone is the fear of your child feeling isolated. Talk to other parents in your child's year group. By agreeing together to hold off on smartphones or social media access until a certain age (such as the end of Year 9), you remove the social pressure from both yourselves and your children.
3. Consider Alternative "Smart-Free" Devices
If your child needs a device for independence or travel safety on the way to and from school, consider alternatives to a standard smartphone:
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Basic 'Brick' Phones: Simple talk-and-text-only devices allow you to stay in touch without data packages, apps, or web access.
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App-Free Smartwatches: Some GPS tracking watches allow for designated family calls and location tracking without access to internet browsing or social media platforms.
https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/tools](https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/tools
4. Create a "Digital Detox" Zone at Home
Support your child's focus outside of school hours by establishing clear boundaries at home:
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Keep bedrooms entirely screen-free at night to protect sleep quality.
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Set up a central charging station in a communal area (like the kitchen) where all family phones go before bedtime.