We will be a Smartphone Free school from September 2026.

At Shenfield St Mary’s we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all pupils. Increasingly, the use of smartphones among young people is having a detrimental impact on mental health, sleep, attention, and overall development. Research and experience have identified the following concerns associated with smartphone use in school-aged children:

• Increased rates of anxiety and depression
• Sleep disruption and reduced attention span
• Risk of cyberbullying and exposure to harmful or inappropriate content
• Patterns of use consistent with behavioural addiction
• Reduced engagement with learning and important life skills

Considering these concerns, and in line with our commitment to creating a safe and focused learning environment, the following policy outlines the permitted use of mobile phones and portable devices on school premises.

General Guidelines

Reception – Year 5 (Autumn and Spring Term)

• Mobile phones and portable devices are not permitted on school premises under any circumstances.

Year 6 and Year 5 in the Summer Term (Independent Travellers)

PLEASE NOTE AS PER PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION YEAR FIVE CHILDREN OF THIS ACADEMIC YEAR (2025/26), THIS POLICY WILL BE IN PLACE FOR THEM FROM THE SUMMER TERM 2026. This is to ensure that SmartPhones are not purchased as Christmas/Birthday presents and there is not a cross over for the year five children. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation. 

Parents who wish for their child to bring a mobile phone for safety reasons (e.g., walking to and from school independently) must comply with the following:

Examples of Permitted Phone Models

The following basic mobile phone models are examples of the types of phone that are permitted:

• Nokia 105
• Samsung E1200
• Alcatel 10.16G
• Or another similar non-smartphone device

Smartphones are not allowed under any circumstances. Any device that is a smart phone will be considered a prohibited phone. If parents are unsure of phones permitted, please speak to the office and we will confirm if it is an approved phone or not.

Medical Exceptions

Where a mobile device is necessary for managing a diagnosed medical condition, exemptions to this policy may be granted. In such cases, the phone must:

• Be securely configured to restrict access to applications, internet browsers, and social media
• Be approved by the school’s leadership team