What are the steps to making a secondary school smartphone free?
[.style-intro]Putting a new secondary school smartphone policy into practice takes clarity, consistency and a belief that better is possible. Principal Damian McBeath, who led the John Wallis Church of England Academy in Kent through the transition to a phone-free school day, told us how they did it. Here’s what we can learn from his story.[.style-intro]
Understand why it’s not working
Lots of schools already have a phone ban – often a ‘no see, no hear’ policy. But as Damian found, these policies can fall short in practice. Despite their best efforts, Damian said staff were battling constant distractions, safeguarding issues, and daily incidents triggered by smartphones.
“It felt like a digital game of whack-a-mole. These devices were popping up everywhere.”
Take the time to identify what’s not working – and why. You might find that the issue isn’t enforcement, but the presence of smartphones in school full stop.
Visit other schools that have already taken action
Seeing policies in practice and hearing honest reflections from other heads, can provide valuable insights. It can help refine your approach, offering both reassurance and practical guidance to help you shape what’s right for your context.
Build support internally
Big change starts with open conversation. Damian began by discussing the need for stronger measures with his governing body. When a full smartphone ban proved difficult due to concerns about safety on the way to and from school, he proposed a new approach: Yondr pouches.
“We looked at what wasn’t working, and asked: why?”
Your senior leadership team, governors or staff might have concerns. That’s normal. The key is to bring people in early, explain the ‘why’ clearly, and propose practical solutions.
Communicate clearly with families
Damian sent a letter home to families and held an information evening to explain the change. While some parents initially objected online, proactive communication – including engaging local media – helped shift the conversation.
“There were threats of ‘I’m taking this to Ofsted!’ So we contacted the local paper ourselves. The story garnered a lot of support.”
Expect questions, and be ready with clear answers. Being open and proactive can make all the difference.
Launch with consistency
Consistency is key. Damian and his team didn’t leave implementation to chance. The senior leadership team led the roll-out, greeting pupils every morning to reinforce the message. A hall was set aside to manage the small number of pupils who initially refused.
“We were obsessed with making this work. Day one was crucial.”
Monitor and adapt
Ongoing checks helped keep compliance high.
“The importance of checks can’t be under-rated. Pupils knew we were monitoring.”
Adapt the logistics as needed – but keep the standard consistent. This is what makes the difference between a rule and a real cultural shift.
Notice the impact
Since launching the new system, The John Wallis Academy has seen a dramatic drop in phone-related incidents, improved behaviour, and a calmer atmosphere throughout the school.
“The staff kept saying: this is a different school.”
- Detentions and sanctions dropped by over 40%
- Physical altercations are virtually gone
- Online bullying and safeguarding reports are at a five-year low
- Truancy has been almost entirely eliminated
- Staff morale has soared and our retention is now at 95+%
And pupils themselves have noticed the difference:
“We’re talking more. We understand each other better.”
“There’s no point bunking off – there’s no one else doing it and you can’t watch Netflix anymore.”
Remember it’s totally doable
Damian’s final message is clear: it might seem like a big shift, but it’s absolutely possible.
“This was not that hard to achieve. It’s something all schools could adopt if they choose to.”
As Damian’s experience shows, with clarity, communication and consistency, you can make smartphone-free schools a reality — and transform your school culture in the process.
Want to explore what this might look like for your school? Join our SFC Schools Network to connect with other teachers and leaders like Damian making the change.
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