At our school, we believe childhood should be filled with imagination, real-world friendships and opportunities to grow without the pressures that come from early access to smartphones and constant digital engagement. Screens are woven into modern life, but that doesn’t mean children need to be plugged in before they’re ready.

This page outlines why we support a Smartphone-Free Childhood, how we work in partnership with parents, and the steps we are taking in school to reduce unnecessary screen time.

Why a Smartphone-Free Childhood Matters

Smartphones can open the door to creativity, connection and learning—but for children, they can also introduce challenges that arrive long before they’re developmentally ready to manage them. Common concerns include:

  • Exposure to online bullying
  • Social pressure and comparison, especially through social media
  • Disrupted sleep from late-night messaging or scrolling
  • Reduced physical activity and outdoor play
  • Impacted attention span and increased distractibility
  • Access to inappropriate content
  • Heightened anxiety linked to gaming, messaging, or notifications

Children deserve the chance to grow confidently in the real world before being pulled into the digital one.

Understanding Parents’ Perspectives

We know many families choose to give their child a smartphone for very understandable reasons—particularly as children move into upper Key Stage 2 and secondary transition.

Common motivations include:

  • Staying in touch while walking to and from school
  • Safety when children are gaining independence
  • Keeping up socially with peers
  • Wanting their child to feel included
  • Managing after-school clubs and busy family routines

These reasons are valid and completely relatable. Our aim is not to judge or criticise, but to offer practical alternatives that still support safety, independence and social connection without the downsides of full smartphone use.

Positive Alternatives to Smartphones

Here are some child-friendly, lower-risk alternatives that support independence without opening the door to the entire digital world:

  • Basic “dumb” phones (call + text only)
  • Smart watches with GPS and limited calling
  • Family WhatsApp groups managed by parents
  • Agreed message times for older children using shared devices
  • Community walking groups or “walking buddies”
  • Clear family digital boundaries, such as tech-free bedrooms or weekend unplug times

These solutions offer the reassurance parents want, without overwhelming children with technology they don’t yet need.

What We Are Doing in School

As a school, we are committed to nurturing a balanced, healthy relationship with technology. We use digital tools thoughtfully - never for the sake of it - and prioritise learning that keeps children active, engaged and connected with each other.

Here’s what we’re doing:

  • Minimal screen use in lessons, unless it directly enhances learning
  • Lessons on digital wellbeing, online safety and healthy habits
  • Encouraging outdoor learning, teamwork and hands-on tasks
  • Modelling positive digital behaviour through staff practice

We want school to be a space where children can take a break from the pressures of online life.

Our School Pledge

As a school, we pledge to:

  • Prioritise children’s wellbeing over convenience
  • Use screens only when purposeful, not as a default
  • Teach children how to use technology safely, gradually and confidently
  • Support families who wish to delay or limit smartphone use
  • Work in partnership with our community to promote healthy digital habits
  • Celebrate real-world play, conversation, creativity and connection

Together, we can give our children the gift of a slower, calmer, more rooted childhood.

Learn More

Both organisations provide excellent advice, stories from families, and practical tools to help children—and adults!—rediscover the joys of being unplugged.See how many of our parents have signed up on the Smart Phone Free Childhood website.