SFC Schools network

Step 1: Establishing the why

Tools to help schools make the case for change

Evidence summary for educators - what the research shows and what smartphone-free schools have seen

Tools

Student, staff and parent surveys - editable templates to capture insights from your school community

Tools

Evidence pack for headteachers - explore smartphone-free approaches that fit your context

Tools

Governor playbook - a practical guide to supporting smartphone-free policies in your school

Playbook

Discussion guide for school leaders - approaches to build the internal support to become smartphone-free

Tools

What does the evidence tell us?

Student wellbeing

2× higher anxiety and 3× higher depression risk among children with problematic smartphone use

King’s College London, 2024

Engagement and attention

Takes up to 20 minutes for pupils to refocus after a phone-related distraction

Study cited in UNESCO, 2023

Addiction

1 in 4 children and young people show problematic smartphone use, which displaces other activities

Sohn et al., 2019)

Student wellbeing

Two hours of daily screen time increases the risk of depression with the longer the exposure, the greater the risk

Zhu et al., 2025

Safeguarding

Among children 8-17 who are bullied, 8 in 10 experience it through a device

Inspection

43% of schools with effective bans rated Outstanding vs 21% overall

Mansfield et al., 2024

What impact have schools seen?

The Misbourne

Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire

BHSA Junior School

Birkenhead, Wirral

Fulham Boys School

Alderbrook School

Soilhull, West Midlands

Cunningham Hill Infant and Junior Schools

City of London Academy

What difference do students see?

Because at school I haven't had my phone all day, when I get home I don't feel attached to it. I feel more attached to my family than I am to my phone.

Year 7 student, Alderbrook School

It's changed a lot. I've genuinely noticed it. Whenever I'm out with my friends I tend not to look at my phone as much as I used to.

Year 9 student, Fulham Boys School

I feel like everyone's more confident, more sociable and more chatty now that they're not all like glue to their phones.

Year 8 student, Alderbrook School

I've actually asked my mum, please don't buy me a phone because I've seen all the stuff that children are exposed to and I don't want it.

Year 6 student, Birkenhead Junior School

Obviously I'm going to say [to friends in other schools] you know I think my school's better than theirs, but this is just another reason why.

Year 12 student, Fulham Boys School

It allows you to experience or discover new hobbies for yourself……if you're just stuck on your phone 24/7, you're never going to realise that.

Year 7 student, Alderbrook School

Now that we don't have phones, everyone's a bit happier.

Year 5 student, Birkenhead Junior School

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