Derbyshire headteachers comment on school mobile phone ban –as MP supports new government policy and calls for social media ban for all under 16s
Derbyshire schools have welcomed the new government policy, which bans pupils from using mobile phones at schools – and Derbyshire Dales MP has called for further restrictions to prevent children from cyberbullying.
Last week Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary at Labour-led government, wrote a letter to schools across the country, urging them to follow new guidance on usage of mobile phones in schools.
The new strict rules ban pupils from using their mobiles all together during the school day, not only during lessons but also at breaktimes and lunchtime.
From April Ofsted is set to examine the smartphone policies at schools and assess how effectively they are applied.
Derbyshire headteachers and school trusts have praised the new guidance, with some schools implementing mobile phone bans even before the announcement made by the Education Secretary.
Outwood Grange Academies Trust, which runs two Chesterfield secondary schools Outwood Academy Hasland Hall and Outwood Academy Newbold, commented on the mobile phone ban, explaining the negative impact of smartphones on the learning environment and pupils’ wellbeing.
A spokesperson for the trust said: “Mobile phones, while undeniably useful in many aspects of life, can be a significant distraction in the learning environment.
"Our schools have always, and will always be phone-free schools, as it means that students can better focus on their learning and engage with their teachers and classmates.
"By removing the primary tool for cyberbullying from the school environment, we can safeguard students and create a more positive atmosphere for all, where students are encouraged to interact with each other in person, strengthening social bonds and improving communication skills."
While it is anticipated that the new guidance will have a greater impact on secondary schools, many primary schools have praised the importance of the decision.
Paul Appleton, headteacher of Cherry Tree Hill Primary School in Chaddesden, said that the school has championed ‘smartphone-free childhood’ for quite some time already, receiving positive responses from parents.
He explained: "We’ve been working really hard this year to champion a smartphone‑free childhood, and I strongly believe in this. Over the past term, I’ve talked openly with parents, children and staff about the growing national push to delay smartphone use and why it matters.
"We’ve shared guidance in our newsletters, and our community will have seen our “Smartphone‑Free Childhood” stickers around school — small reminders that help us make being phone‑free feel normal and positive for everyone.
"We've encouraged our parents to sign the 'parent pact' to delay the purchase of smartphones for children too.
"I’ve also met with other Derby primary and secondary headteachers to look at how we can take a joined‑up approach across the city. It was a really encouraging conversation, and it’s clear that many schools are facing the same challenges and want the same things for their children.
"Since then, the national message has become even clearer: the Education Secretary has now stated that schools should be phone‑free all day, and Ofsted will be checking how well schools put this into practice from April. In many ways, that simply reinforces the direction we’ve already been heading in, in Derby, it feels we're ahead of the curve!
"I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken so far — the parent conversations, the clear messaging, and the whole‑school commitment to giving children the chance to learn, play, and socialise without the pressures of constant connectivity."
Ian Dewes, Chief Executive of Odyssey Collaborative Trust, overseeing a number of primary schools, believes that mobile phone ban will mainly impact secondary schools, but said it was a step in the right direction for pupils of all ages.
He commented: "While the mobile phone ban is a big issue for secondary schools, it will have minimal direct impact on primary schools as I've never known a primary allow devices out at playtime or lunch, nor be used as an aid in lessons.
"I do welcome the government focus on this topic though; smartphone use is widespread among primary school-aged pupils and it does cause some issues.
"It is common for teachers and headteachers to have to intervene after arguments breakout between children on WhatsApp or other apps, despite these taking place outside of school time and the children often not being old enough to use the apps.
"It can definitely be damaging for children's mental health."
John Whitby, Labour MP for Derbyshire Dales, has also praised the new guidance – and called for the government to go even a step further and ban under 16s from using social media all together.
He said: “Access to social media for young people is public health crisis.
“I’ve spoken to, and been contacted by, hundreds of parents and teachers in my constituency about the challenges arising from mobile phone use in schools, and the need to ban phones completely in schools – a ban that I am totally behind.
"I’ve spoken to headteachers and staff from schools that have successfully banned access to mobile phones and these schools have seen a huge increase in attention and positive engagement from pupils.
"But it goes much further than that. It’s also about the wellbeing of our young people who face massive challenges and pressures from social media use.
"Teachers tell me they have seen clear links between access to social media, and the amount of physical fighting and verbal bullying that takes place.
"One of the most negative impacts of social media is the increased prevalence of cyberbullying and the spread of inappropriate content, and the mental health impacts this is having on teenagers is especially shocking.
"The statistics I’ve seen are deeply worrying: teenagers who spend more than three hours per day online are twice as likely to suffer anxiety and depression, over two thirds of young people report seeing harmful content online, and over a third report seeing content that promotes suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.
“Banning phones during school break times, as well as in the classroom, will help reduce these problems in the learning environment and reduce pressure on students.
"But I also want to see the Government go further. We need to protect our children by banning access to social media for under 16s and having phone free schools. Only then we will give our children back their childhood.”