Tips for choosing and implementing a smartphone-free policy in your secondary school

[.style-intro]Putting a new smartphone policy into place at a secondary school takes clarity, consistency, and a belief that better is possible. Schools across the country are already making this change – and seeing remarkable results. Whether you’re just getting started or considering your next step, here’s a guide based on what we’ve learned from dozens of school leaders who’ve done it.[.style-intro]

Understand the four main policy options

There are four main types of smartphone policies in UK secondary schools. Each comes with different levels of effectiveness and enforcement challenges.

1. No restrictions

This is now rare – and for good reason. With no restrictions, students are allowed to use their phones throughout the day, including in lessons and at breaktimes. These schools often report serious problems with distraction, cyberbullying, and classroom disruption.

You won’t be surprised to hear we don’t recommend this policy!

2. ‘No see, no hear’

This is the most common smartphone policy in UK secondary schools. Phones are allowed in school but must stay out of sight during lessons – sometimes also during breaktimes.

Challenges:

• Relies heavily on students self-regulating, which is unrealistic given how addictive smartphones are designed to be.
• Often difficult to enforce. Teachers spend considerable time policing phone use.
• Many schools report students leaving lessons to use phones in toilets.

If this is your current policy, you’re not alone. But many schools are now recognising the limits of this approach and choosing to go further.

3. Lockers, pouches or handing in

Students store their smartphones in lockers or locking pouches (such as Yondr) for the duration of the school day, or hand them in before school.Benefits:

• Dramatically reduces classroom distractions.
• Improves behaviour and school culture.
• Frees up teacher time and reduces safeguarding concerns.

Things to consider:

• Requires investment in pouches or locker systems.
• Pupils are still likely to use smartphones at home.

Cost strategies: Some schools, like Cardinal Newman School in Brighton, break the cost into instalments (e.g. £8 over three terms) and set up a bursary fund to support families who need help. These funds are often supported by parent and local business donations.

4. Brick phones only

Smartphones are banned entirely. Pupils can bring a basic ‘brick’ phone (calls and texts only) if needed to school but no internet-enabled phones.

Benefits:

• Helps shift culture outside of school. If pupils aren’t allowed smartphones at school, there’s less reason to have one at all.
• Reduces home use, peer pressure, and mental health impacts.
• Empowers families to delay giving children smartphones.

This is the policy most parents in our community would choose.

We understand every school is different, but the evidence is clear: 'bell-to-bell' policies – where smartphones are genuinely inaccessible from arrival to departure – make the biggest difference. Brick phone policies go one step further, helping to reshape cultural norms beyond the school gates.

Choosing the right policy for your school

There’s no one-size-fits-all. The right solution depends on your school’s context, student needs, and leadership team.

Ask yourself:

• How much time is staff currently spending managing phone-related issues?
• Are students being distracted or leaving lessons to use phones?
• Are we seeing safeguarding risks or online behaviour spilling into school life?

If the answer is yes to any of these, it may be time to go beyond ‘no see, no hear’.

Implementation tips from school leaders

Based on dozens of conversations with school leaders, here are the steps that make the biggest difference:
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1. Start with staff

Bring your SLT and staff on board early. Discuss what’s not working and invite input on what might work better. Staff will need to be consistent for the policy to succeed.

2. Communicate with families

Start early. Send a letter outlining the plan and invite parents to a Q&A session or information evening. Use newsletters and social media to share the rationale and evidence. Highlight the benefits to wellbeing, learning and focus.

If using pouches or lockers, explain the costs and support options upfront.

3. Explore a phased introduction

Some schools have found success by introducing a new policy with one year group at a time. For example, launching with Year 7 and then rolling the policy up over time as that cohort progresses. This allows families time to adjust and creates a strong foundation for change.

4. Be clear and consistent

Make the policy simple and easy to follow. Define clear sanctions for breaches. Pupils should know what’s expected – and what happens if the rules are broken.

Many schools find a short warning period helpful before the new policy goes live. This gives families time to adjust.

5. Lead from the front

On launch day, have SLT and year leaders at the gates. Check compliance and support any pupils who are unsure. Your leadership will set the tone.

6. Check and adapt

Regular checks help reinforce the culture. Some schools do pouch or bag checks in form time or random spot checks during lessons. Monitor how things are going and make small adjustments where needed.

7. Share the wins

Once the policy is live, share positive changes with your community. Highlight calmer classrooms, better focus, and student feedback. Use this momentum to reinforce the new normal.

Want to learn more?

Join the SFC Schools Network to connect with other teachers and leaders across the UK who are taking steps to make their schools smartphone free.. Share ideas, access resources, and feel supported every step of the way.