Smartphones Can Wait. Childhood Can't.

Across the country, expectations around smartphone use in schools are changing. National guidance, evolving safeguarding expectations and growing concerns about children's wellbeing, sleep, attention, learning and online safety are leading many schools to move towards smartphone-free environments.

At Monkspath School, children do not have access to phones during the school day. Currently, where absolutely necessary, some Year 5 and Year 6 pupils may bring a phone to school for their journey to and from school. These phones are handed in at the start of the day, stored securely and returned at the end of the school day.

We know that many children already own smartphones and that changes such as these take time for families to plan for. We therefore want to give parents plenty of notice and support as expectations continue to evolve.

If you have not yet provided your child with a phone, we encourage you to consider the information below when deciding whether the time is right.

Looking Ahead: Future Arrangements for Mobile Phones

From the start of the 2027–2028 academic year, Monkspath will move to the following position:

✅ Children in Years 5 and 6 may continue to bring a phone only where absolutely necessary for travel arrangements.

✅ Any phone brought into school should be a non-smart phone (calls and texts only).

✅ Phones will continue to be handed in for secure storage during the school day and returned at the end of the school day.

This change aligns with the direction being taken by many schools and supports the wider Solihull IRL ("In Real Life") initiative, which brings together schools, families, health services and community organisations around a shared aim: helping children experience healthy, balanced childhoods in a smartphone age. Solihull IRL promotes more real conversation, real play, real friendships and real connection for children and young people. 

Why Are We Taking This Approach?

As a school, our priority is to support children to be happy, healthy, safe and ready to learn.

Increasingly, families, schools and professionals are raising concerns about the impact smartphones and social media can have on children's sleep, concentration, wellbeing, relationships, learning and online safety. Solihull IRL has been established to help schools and families work together to respond to these challenges in a positive and supportive way. 

This is not about blame or telling families what to do. We recognise that parenting in a rapidly changing digital world can be challenging. Instead, our aim is to provide information, support and clarity so that families can make informed decisions that are right for their child. 

Supporting Families

Throughout the next academic year, we will continue to:

• Share guidance and information with parents and carers.
• Signpost resources and practical support.
• Provide clarity about future expectations.
• Help families understand suitable alternatives for children who need a phone for travel arrangements.

By giving families plenty of notice, we hope to make this transition gradual, supportive and well understood.

Find Out More

For more information, research, guidance and family resources, visit: www.solihullirl.co.uk