This means that we do not allow any children to bring a Smartphone into school for any reason.

If you feel that your family have extenuating circumstances, then following a direct request to Mr Tutt or Miss Hayward, we may allow a non-smartphone (also known as a brick phone – costing around £20) to be brought to school and handed to/collected from the class teacher at the start of each day.  These phones cannot have a camera or internet access. 

Why are we a Smartphone Free School?

 

 

 

While smartphones can be valuable tools for adults, an increasing body of research highlights the negative impact of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health, as well as the potential exposure to harmful and dangerous content. Smartphones, which were never designed with children in mind, pose significant risks to their well-being and development.

The average UK teenager now spends around 35 hours a week on their smartphone. That's more than a full-time job – and for many, it starts even earlier.

What's missing in all that time? Face-to-face conversations. Messy outdoor games. Moments of boredom that spark creativity. The chance to develop confidence and resilience – without the filter of a screen.

We often treat smartphones like neutral tools. But they're not just phones – they're immersive, addictive environments designed to be hard to put down. And every hour they take up is an hour not spent doing something more enriching.

That’s why we’re supporting a growing grassroots movement called Smartphone Free Childhood. It’s not a top-down campaign. It’s a bottom-up one, driven by families, carers, teachers, and kids – all trying to figure this out together. It’s about creating healthier childhoods, and giving kids the chance to learn, grow and thrive, free from the pull of addictive algorithms and 24/7 internet in their pockets.

 

 

What can you do?

• Find out more - Here is a link to a podcast which is a great introduction to the issues: The Anxious Generation with Jonathan Haidt

 

• Join our growing community of parents who agree to delay giving children a Smartphone - To sign the pact, click here: https://parentpact.smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk/

 

• Join the SFC St James Whatapp group to share ideas and support each other - Scan the QR code below or search via this link: : https://sfc-db29be.webflow.io/find-your-community

 

 

227 St James' families have signed the SFC Parent Pact so far

 

 

5 tips for parents deciding when to get their child a smartphone

1. Make an informed decision

Before making any decision, take time to understand how smartphones can impact young people's lives including the impact on their mental health, sleep and focus. Come and find our Smartphone Free Childhood stall at our school Summer Fayre on Saturday 12th July to talk to parents who have already signed the pact. Listen to a podcast on the topic:...watch

2. Have open conversations

Talk openly with your child. Share your concerns, but also listen to how they feel. Explain that this decision is about supporting their health and future, not just enforcing rules. Honest conversations build trust and understanding. 

3. Discuss the benefits of being smartphone-free

Help your child see the positives. Without a smartphone, they have more time for hobbies, spending quality time with friends and building independence. Focus on what they will gain, not on what they are missing. 

4. Offer alternatives

If they feel left out or are concerned about not having a particular app, consider letting them use it on a shared family device so you can be involved in this too. The more you are familiar with what they like to do online, the more easy it will be to have open conversations if things go wrong. 

5. Sign a Parent Pact and make links with others' to reduce peer pressure