MOBILE PHONES
Four Stones Gateway Trust is committed to providing calm, safe and purposeful learning environment. From September 2026, all schools will be required to be mobile free throughout the school day. This means that students must not have access to a mobile phone while they are in school.
At our school, we are committed to fostering a safe, focused, and productive environment for all students. As such, our mobile phone policy is designed to minimise distractions and promote both academic achievement and positive social interaction. We believe that by having mobile phones securely stored throughout the school day, students can focus fully on their studies and enjoy meaningful connections with their peers.
All students in our school are therefore encouraged to not bring their mobile phone to school. However, we recognise that many families want their child to have a mobile phone for their journey to and from school, particularly for safety and communication purposes. Our system has therefore been designed to support the reality of students travelling independently, while also meeting the Department for Education guidance and ensuring that mobile phones are not used during the school day Mobile phones in schools – GOV.UK.
We understand that some parents and carers may feel anxious about their child handing in a mobile phone at school, especially where the mobile phone is expensive. However, our priority must be student safety, behaviour, learning, and compliance with the national requirement for schools to be mobile free. Our system is not designed to provide secure storage for high-value items; it is designed to ensure that students do not have access to mobile phones during the school day.
Should you need to contact your child during the school day, please do so via the main school office. We appreciate your support in helping us maintain a phone-free learning environment where every student can thrive.
Haybridge High School is a phone-free school for all students in Years 7 – 11
Students in Years 7 – 11 hand in their mobile phone at the start of the school day and collect it at the end of the school day. We strongly believe that every child deserves at least one part of their day where they can learn, socialise and grow without the distraction of a mobile phone or wearable technology, e.g. a smart watch.
Firstly, we want to support the mental health and wellbeing of our young people.
Many students spend a considerable amount of time connected to their mobile phones. For some, this can create pressure, anxiety and distraction. A mobile phone-free school day gives students the opportunity to focus on learning, spend time talking to friends face-to-face and enjoy a break from the constant notifications and demands of the online world.
Secondly, we want to create the very best environment for learning and achieving.
Research consistently shows that mobile phones distract students from learning. The mere presence of a mobile phone nearby can significantly impact attention. By removing the temptation of a quick under the desk or pocket look at a mobile phone, we can help students remain focused, maximising time in lessons and boost academic success. We want to help students live a great life full of opportunity.
Thirdly, we are aligning our approach with national expectations.
The Department for Education (DfE) expects schools to implement policies that ensure students do not have access to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, breaktimes, lunchtimes and the time between lessons. The forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 legally requires schools to ban the use of smartphones.
How does our system work?
At the end of the school day, students collect their phone from their tutor before leaving site.
Neither the Four Stones Gateway Trust or the school accepts any liability for the loss of, theft of or damage to mobile devices or valuables. We recommend that personal insurance is taken out if families make the decision to send their child into school with a mobile phone.
Our school reserves the right to update this page and related polices as needed. Please check this page regularly for the latest information.
Should you have any questions or queries regarding our mobile phone protocols please contact us . Thank you for your support as we implement this important change. Our shared aim is to keep students safe, reduce distractions, and ensure that school remains focused on learning.