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Bridget Phillipson has been urged to take immediate action to tackle children’s smartphone use in schools by a group of educators who are “deeply concerned” about its impact.
In an open letter to the Education Secretary, 30 education leaders said there was clear evidence that “children in schools without smartphones do better” and called for effective restrictions on their use. I asked them to set it up.
The letter read as follows: “Students with more permissive policies perform on average one to two grade levels higher at GCSE.Research shows that disadvantaged and underachieving students improve their grades fastest when schools remove smartphones. I know I will.”
Campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood is urging all schools to limit their use by storing mobile phones in lockers and calling on the government to provide funding to support schools that wish to do so.
Clare Fernyhoff, co-founder of the campaign group, said schools faced an “urgent situation” and warned they would be left behind if England failed to introduce further restrictions.
They suggest using lockers or phone pouches until the end of key stage 4, when children reach the age of 16.
“We are inundated with stories from teachers grappling with the impact of smartphones, from classroom distractions to cyberbullying and the sharing of inappropriate content.
“It’s unfair that top leaders have to tackle this issue alone. As countries across Europe tighten their smartphone regulations, further government delays will put the UK further behind the curve.”
In February, the previous Conservative government issued guidelines requiring schools to ban the use of mobile phones during the day.
However, Smartphone Free Childhood said only 11% of schools in England had any real restrictions in place.
When government guidance was introduced, Mr Phillipson denied intervention was necessary on the issue.
The then shadow education secretary said: “This is a rehashed announcement that ignores the fact that most schools already ban phones in classrooms. Under the Conservative government’s own guidance, further government intervention is not even necessary. I admit that.”
“This is evidence that the moribund Conservative government is once again cutting back on policy, remaining silent on the challenges facing schools, including chronic absenteeism, crumbling concrete buildings and the prevalence of mental illness among young people. ”
But Damien McBeth, principal at John Wallis Academy in Ashford, Kent, said effective restrictions on smartphones had “transformed the school community”.
He said the school has seen a 40% reduction in detentions and an 80% reduction in student absences from class over the past six months.
He added: “The number of reports of online abuse and cyberbullying is at its lowest level in five years, and we are seeing a marked decline in safety concerns.”
“In surveys, staff report significant changes in behavior around school and students’ attention. Children are more engaged in class and more social with their peers. I can focus on teaching and developing my students. Overall, our school is a much happier place.”
Mr McBeth said the policy had also resulted in a reduction in staff turnover, claiming that last year’s turnover rate had fallen by more than 10 per cent.
The Ministry of Education has been contacted for comment.
