Mobile Phone safety and advice
On 29 June 2026, the Department for Education implemented statutory guidance that schools were to become mobile phone-free environments by default throughout the entire school day, including lessons, breaktimes, lunchtimes, and between classes.
At The Earls High School, students are required to keep their phones powered down and in their bags (not pockets!) throughout the day and must not access them for any reason, unless they have a medical exemption.
Our full Mobile Phones Policy can be found here.
To support a phone-free environment:
The school will:
- Continue to reinforce the phones powered off policy.
- Ensure that regular reminders are given to students.
- Teach students about the importance of considerate and legal use of social media.
- Support with any issues that arise in school.
Students must:
- Ensure that they understand our expectations regarding the use of mobile phones at school, and speak to a member of staff if they are unsure.
- Meet our expectations regarding the use of mobile phones at school, as set out above.
- Respond politely to staff who are enforcing these expectations.
Parents can:
- Protect Sleep and Digital Boundaries: phones and games consoles in a bedroom have a significant impact on teenagers’ sleep.
- Monitor or prevent social media issues by regularly checking your child’s phone and limiting daily use – put restrictions in place.
- Check that social media apps are age appropriate and in line with government guidelines.
- Avoid contacting their child(ren) via their mobile phone during the school day
- Support the school’s Mobile Phone Policy
Recommended Websites to help support parents
- Internet Matters
Excellent practical advice for parents on social media, gaming, screen time, AI, parental controls and current online trends. It includes age-specific guidance for secondary-aged children.
🔗 https://www.internetmatters.orG
- NSPCC Online Safety Hub
Provides guidance on talking to children about online risks, social media, AI, reporting concerns, sharing images, and digital wellbeing.
🔗 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety?
- Childnet
Offers parent-friendly guides on cyberbullying, gaming, social media, digital wellbeing, and emerging apps. Their “Parents and Carers Toolkit” is particularly useful for Year 8 families.
🔗 https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
Provides advice on online grooming, exploitation, reporting concerns, and helping young people stay safe online.