Smartphone Free Childhood - WEDNESDAY, 11th February at 9.30am and updated school policy

2nd February 2026
Dear Families,
 
 
As you may already be aware, a grassroots movement called Smartphone Free Childhood is working to support parents and carers who would like to delay giving their child a smartphone until age 14. Within our school community, we have a significant number of parents already making the decision to delay and we continue to support them.
 

Whilst smartphones can be a very helpful piece of technology for adults, and when closely supervised and for a particular purpose, may be a useful tool for children, research shows that they can expose children to significant safeguarding risks in addition to a number of other negative implications.
 

Smartphones risks to children include:
➢ Being highly addictive, with the lasting effects on young and developing brains being similar to that of gambling
➣ Being linked to poor mental health, depression and low self-esteem, especially in young teenagers
➢ Exposing children to harmful content including pornography, grooming, bullying and material that is not age appropriate
➢ Reducing attention spans – they are changing the way children’s brains develop and fundamentally affecting their ability to concentrate
➢ Robbing children of their childhood. Time spent on a device reduces time spent playing, interacting and developing vital social skills
 
 
We are delighted to invite you to a parent/carer meeting to learn more about the important work from Smartphone Free Childhood at 9.30am on WEDNESDAY, 11th February 2026 in the school hall. the meeting is open to you and I do hope you will be able to attend (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE - APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE)
 
 
Following on from the great progress we have seen already at Western Road, our mobile phone policy is changing from September 2026 and we will become a smartphone-free school.
 
 
Currently, children in Years 5 and 6 are permitted to bring mobile phones into school, switching them off and handing them into the School Office as they enter the school premises. The mobile phones are then collected at the end of the school day. From September 2026, children will only be allowed to bring a basic phone (“brickphone”/"feature phone" – a phone that does not connect to the internet or have a camera), which will continue to be stored safely in the School Office during the school day.
 
 
We are sharing this information now to give families plenty of notice to prepare for the change. This decision has been made based on a wealth of research showing that delaying access to smartphones supports children’s social and emotional wellbeing, as well as academic outcomes. Our aim is to support the creation of an environment where children can focus, connect with each other, and enjoy their childhood without the pressures that come with smartphone use.
 

We understand that some parents may have concerns about safety and communication. To support you, please consider:

• Smartphone-like alternatives: There are several basic phones available that look like smartphones but do not have internet or app capabilities, helping children feel included without the risks of full smartphone use.
• Tracking options: Parents who wish to know their child’s whereabouts can consider using AirTags or similar devices.
• Support networks: Our local Smartphone-Free Parent Group offers guidance and advice for families navigating this transition.
 

Together as a community, we can help our children enjoy the childhood they deserve, free from the pressures and distractions of smartphones. We appreciate your support in making this important change successful for all children.
 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
 
 
Irena Wooler
Head Teacher