The Move to a Smartphone-Free Environment at Kingsbridge Community College

“Piloting a smartphone-free environment at KCC has already shown the difference it can make, helping our students to engage more fully in their lessons, interact with one another, and build resilience.”

At Kingsbridge Community College (part of Education South West), the move towards a smartphone-free environment has developed as part of our wider commitment to student wellbeing, focus, and positive development. The decision has been informed by listening carefully to students, parents, and staff, alongside growing national discussion about the impact of smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity on young people. We began by piloting the approach earlier this academic year, allowing us to test and refine the policy in a structured and supportive way.
 
Our intended outcomes were to create a calmer, more focused school environment where students could engage fully in learning and social interaction without the distraction and pressure of smartphones. We also wanted to reduce stress, improve concentration, and support students in developing stronger face-to-face relationships and resilience in everyday social situations.
 
Preparation involved extensive engagement with students, parents, and staff to gather views and ensure clarity of purpose. We also implemented a pilot phase, which allowed us to test systems, gather feedback, and identify practical considerations before the rollout. This helped ensure that expectations were clear and that routines were well established.
 
As with any change, there were initial questions around routines and practical implementation. Some concerns were raised about consistency and how the policy would work in practice across the school day. There was also the need to ensure clarity for all stakeholders during the early stages of the pilot. 
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We addressed challenges through clear communication, consistent expectations, and a phased introduction via the pilot. This allowed us to respond to feedback in real time and refine systems. Working closely with staff, students, and families helped ensure any concerns were quickly resolved and understanding was strengthened across the community.
 
The most rewarding aspect has been seeing the overwhelmingly positive impact on the school environment. Teachers have reported improved concentration in lessons, students are interacting more positively with one another, and the overall atmosphere is noticeably calmer and more focused. It has also been encouraging to see strong support from the majority of parents and students.
 
Following the success of the pilot, we are moving forward with the full launch of the smartphone-free approach. We will continue to refine systems where needed and share clear information with families ahead of implementation. We are also exploring practical solutions, such as working with local bus companies to support safe and effective communication around travel arrangements.
 
My tips for other schools and MATs looking to introduce similar measures would be:

• Start with a clear purpose focused on wellbeing, learning, and student development
• Engage early with students, parents, and staff to build understanding and support
• Pilot the approach to test systems and gather feedback before full rollout
• Communicate clearly and consistently at every stage of implementation
• Maintain calm, consistent routines and respond quickly and constructively to feedback

 
Report by Tina Graham, Principal at Kingsbridge Community College