Head teachers in Barnet, North London, report that pupils are happier and better behaved following the implementation of a smartphone-free school scheme nearly a year ago. The initiative, which saw bans enacted in 103 primary and 23 secondary schools, aligns with a recent England-wide ban mandating that all phones be handed in and stored away during the school day. This move has generated some parental concern about emergency communication.
However, participating Barnet schools attribute the positive changes to reduced distractions in lessons, decreased cyberbullying, and an increase in face-to-face interactions among students. The Smartphone Free Childhood Barnet initiative officially began last September, with parents of up to 63,000 pupils notified of the plan.
Michelle Henderson, head teacher at Bishop Douglass School in East Finchley, stated that her school had already prohibited phones before the wider ban. She expressed skepticism about phones enhancing child safety, suggesting that visible devices can make students targets for theft. Henderson added that in emergencies, students are instructed to seek assistance from authorities, transport staff, or shop workers.
According to Henderson, the benefits observed include a reduction in distractions, online conflicts, bullying, unauthorized filming, theft, and the pressure on pupils to maintain constant connectivity. She also noted academic improvements due to enhanced concentration, with the school's sixth form ranking highly for progress among Barnet's non-selective schools.
Clarion School, also in Barnet, has required students to keep phones in lockable pouches since 2022. Head teacher Chris Hunt reported substantial improvements in student well-being and the school's social climate, with a noticeable rise in students engaging in social interactions during breaks and participating in extracurricular activities.
At Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School, smartphones are banned, but students may bring basic mobile phones without internet access. Head teacher Violet Walker observed a significant decrease in cyberbullying incidents via social media following the ban.
A spokesperson for Barnet Education and Learning Services affirmed the commitment of numerous Barnet schools to becoming smartphone-free, emphasizing the role schools play in shifting social norms.