Oaklands Phone Policy

Currently there are some important changes to our mobile phone policy and to explain the rationale behind our move to become a non-smartphone school for students in Years 7–11.

We appreciate that this is a significant change for families, and we are committed to implementing it transparently, thoughtfully, and in partnership with them.

 The policy will begin at the start of the summer term Monday 13th April 2026 with a full implementation from September 2026.

1. Why we are becoming a non-smartphone school

Within school, we are seeing the impact of smartphones in a number of areas. These include:

• Large group chats continuing during the school day, amplifying friendship issues, arguments, and rumours in real time.
• Increased safeguarding concerns linked to sharing images, online disputes, and social media pressure.
• Reduced focus, attention, and calm in lessons, even when phones are not overtly in use.
• Heightened anxiety caused by constant notifications and the fear of missing out.
• Rates of anxiety and depression among teenagers have risen sharply since the widespread adoption of smartphones.
• Heavy smartphone and social media use is associated with poorer sleep, reduced concentration, and increased emotional dysregulation.
• Group messaging and social media platforms can intensify peer conflict, exclusion, and bullying, often outside adult oversight.

By removing smartphones from the school environment entirely, we are taking a proactive step to protect students’ mental health, reduce safeguarding risks, and create a calmer, more focused learning culture.

2. Parental views and consultation

We are reassured that our recent parent survey showed strong parental support for a move towards a non-smartphone school. A clear majority of parents indicated that they believe smartphones have a negative impact on learning and wellbeing during the school day and supported firmer restrictions.

Your feedback has been central in shaping both the policy and the way it will be implemented, including clear communication, a phased introduction, and a continued allowance for basic phones for travel safety.

3. Safety, travel, and reassurance for families

Although there was a clear majority support for a smartphone ban, many parents registered concerns that related to student safety, particularly when travelling to and from school. We understand these anxieties and have discussed at length how to mitigate them.

To address this:
Students will still be allowed to carry a basic, non-smart phone that allows calls and texts only. This ensures they can contact home if needed while avoiding the risks associated with internet-enabled devices. Students will be expected to keep these out of sight and turned off.
Parents can contact students during the school day via Main Reception, who will pass messages on promptly and discreetly.

Data from child safety organisations shows that smartphones do not, in themselves, make children safer; in fact, they often expose them to additional risks through location sharing, social media contact, and online messaging. High-value smartphones also make young people more visible targets for theft and mugging, particularly when devices are used or visible on public transport or in the local area. By removing smartphones from the school day and permitting only basic, low-value phones, we reduce both the incentive for theft and the risk of students being targeted while travelling to and from school. Technologies such as tracking devices (for example, Bluetooth or tag-based trackers linked to parental accounts) can provide reassurance about travel without giving children unrestricted access to smartphones or social media.

Our policy is designed to balance independence, safety, and wellbeing, while keeping safeguarding firmly at the centre.

Please read the attached Mobile Phone Policy and Parent FAQ carefully for full details of how the policy will operate in practice. The policy will be ratified by governors in February. If you have immediate questions, your child’s Pastoral Leader will be happy to support you.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to promote students’ safety, wellbeing, and success.