Oaklands SchoolUseful Guidance for Parents and Carers
From September 2026, all smartphones will be banned from school. A smartphone is defined as a phone that allows internet connectivity and the use of applications. No smartphone use will be permitted within the school under any circumstances. This means for our Years 7-11 no smartphones are permitted. If a smartphone is brought onto the school site or used on the journey to/from school, it will be confiscated for a minimum of 4 weeks.
This decision reflects growing concerns across schools locally and nationally, alongside clear guidance from the Department for Education:
The Department for Education states:
“All schools should be mobile phone free environments by default; anything other than this should be by exception only.” Our policy aligns with national guidance and supports a safer learning environment.
We want to protect students from online harm, reduce distractions, and support a calm, focused learning environment where all children can thrive. The updated policy also helps reduce peer pressure among students, particularly around owning the “latest” or most expensive devices. By ensuring that smartphones are not allowed on site, we remove the pressure some students feel to compete with others, and we reduce the pressure on parents to purchase costly phones simply so their child “fits in”.
This decision has not been taken lightly. It reflects growing concerns raised by schools across the borough and aligns with national guidance. As there is increasing evidence that smartphone use can negatively impact the wellbeing, mental health, and safety of young people.
Click here to read more about our policy and the school approved phones.
Supporting a Healthier Digital Culture
How does this policy support safeguarding?
Removing smartphones from the school environment reduces access to harmful content, limits online bullying during the school day, and helps staff monitor student wellbeing more effectively.
What is the key message for students?
The policy is about:
• Safety
• Wellbeing
• Focus on learning
• Stronger, healthier relationships
We want to consistently reinforce that this is a protective and supportive measure.
Online Safety Resources
There is increasing evidence that smartphone use has negative effects on the wellbeing and mental health of young people and poses a number of significant safeguarding risks (The Children’s Commissioner for England, 2021). Smartphone use has been linked to impaired attention and focus, sleep deprivation, mental health issues, online bullying, exposure to harmful online content and people, increased risk of mugging, and increased loneliness and social isolation (The UK Millennium Cohort Study & Kelly et al., 2019).
If, as a parent, you would like further information on the dangers of smartphones for children and how you can reduce the use of smartphones within your family, please access the useful links below:
Smartphone free childhood movement (for parent and carer support) -
https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers/phones
DFE guidance about mobile phones in school –
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-phones-in-schools/mobile-phones-in-schools
NSPCC: Access to Technology for Different Ages
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/access-to-technology-for-different-ages/
UK Safer Internet Centre – Parents and Carers Guide
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers/phones
Oaklands Advice to Parents -
https://www.oaklands.towerhamlets.sch.uk/News/eSaftey-Tip-for-Parents/
These online resources look at improving digital balance at home and talking to your child about social media. We encourage families to review these resources and to speak with us if they would like further support.
