Three kinds of
'smartphone free'
School smartphone policies come in many varieties. The three categories below each provide different benefits. These categories have been developed by Headteachers, and reflect the Department for Education guidance. For further detail, see the FAQs.
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Smartphone policies are distinct from 'simple' or 'brick' phone policies in these ratings. Many schools allow simple phones on site whilst banning smartphones. Simple phones are allowed even if smartphones are banned.
Gold
No smartphones on site (basic or brick phones may be allowed)
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Gold standard schools have a policy that pupils are not allowed to bring smartphones on to the school site. Research has shown that this is an "Effective Policy", which improves behaviour and sees a rise in academic attainment*.
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The added benefit of a Gold rating is that children are not immediately picking up smartphones on the way home, which reduces the safeguarding risks associated with children showing each other content on smartphones, reduces peer pressure to own one, and according to the MET police, even reduces the risk of mugging.
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'Simple' or 'brick' phones may be allowed in this rating. It is only smartphones that are restricted.
Silver
Smartphones are handed in or locked away.
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Silver standard schools ensure that smartphones are inaccessible to students during the school day. Research has shown that this is an "Effective Policy", which improves behaviour and sees a rise in academic attainment, as well as other benefits.*
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'Simple' or 'brick' phones may be allowed in this rating. It is only smartphones that are restricted.
Bronze
Smartphones are never used, but stay with pupil
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Bronze schools do not allow children to use their smartphone during the school day, though they may keep possession of it. Bronze is a big step for many schools, and teachers report seeing benefits, such as fewer confiscations and sightings with smartphones. There is also found to be a reduction in bullying compared with more permissive policies.*
However, Bronze level schools don't see such significant benefits that the silver and gold schools enjoy.
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'Simple' or 'brick' phones may be allowed in this rating. It is only smartphones that are restricted.
Department for Education categories
The 'Gold', 'Silver' and 'Bronze' categories are aligned with the Department for Education’s ‘Guidance for schools on prohibiting the use of mobile phones throughout the school day’.
We have added one simple clarification, which is that 'simple' or 'brick' phone policies are not categorised as part of this scheme. Whether Simple phones are handed in, switched off in bags, or used at any time, it's not reflected in this listing.