Friday 17th July 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
RE: Mobile Phones in Schools: New Policy and Guidance
To keep in line with the Department for Education’s guidance: Mobile Phones in School, Kelvin Grove is creating a policy that sets out how mobile phones are used safely in school by staff, pupils and parents/carers.
The full policy will be available in September and you will be informed.
A summary of its main points is listed below:
- Staff are to minimise the use of mobile phones when in the presence of children unless using their phones for work related purposes (e.g. recording medical incidents).
- Staff will not use their mobile phones to take pictures or recordings of pupils, their work or anything else that could identify a pupil.
- Visitors to the school, including parents and carers are not to use their phones in the presence of children or take photos of children, unless given permission during a school event or performance. Signs will be placed in the school office to remind all visitors of this.
- Pupils are not allowed mobile phones in school unless they are granted permission under special circumstances, such as, for medical reasons. When this applies, parents and children must sign an acceptable use agreement.
- Under the Department of Education’s guidance, smartwatches are considered as smart technology and are also not allowed to be used in school.
- Parents/carers who wish for their child to bring a mobile phone to school must sign the permission form on the school website.
- All phones and smartwatches will be collected at the beginning of the school day, secured and returned to children at home time.
- The school may not grant permission for children to bring a mobile phone to school if they are too young and do not need it for a valid reason.
The Risks of Smartphones
The school keeps abreast of the harms and risks associated with Smartphones. Research is becoming more conclusive that the use of smartphones and social media negatively affects the mental wellbeing of young children.
From September 2026 we will strongly be advising parents and carers withhold access to smartphones from their children and instead provide simpler devices (also referred to as dumbphones or minimal phones) if they need a device to travel to and from school.
A summary of these risks can be found below. If you would like to speak to a member of staff about any of these risks or would like advice on how to manage your child’s phone use, please contact Kris Clark, Deputy Headteacher and E-Safety Officer.
The table below provides a summary of the risks to young people, comparing smartphones with minimalist phones:
| Mental Health Indicator | Smartphone Impact  | Minimal Phone Impact  |
| Anxiety & Depression | High Risk: Heavily linked to sharp global increases since 2012. | Minimal Risk: Eliminates primary online triggers. |
| Sleep Quality | Severe Disruption: Melatonin suppressed by blue light and late alerts. | Protected: No late-night apps to incentivize staying awake. |
| Self-Esteem | Negative: Driven down by idealized peer metrics (likes/views). | Neutral: Self-worth remains anchored to real-world achievements. |
| Social Development | Stunted: Displaces crucial face-to-face emotional intelligence building. | Supported: Forces organic interaction and real-world play. |
The article linked below can provide further detail.