Mobile Phones in Dean Trust Schools

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope you are well and that your child is enjoying the summer term.

I write to inform you of The Dean Trust approach to the government’s recent ‘Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act’ which mandates schools to be ‘mobile phone- free by default’ from September 2026. In line with the requirements of this Act, and having carefully considered the evidence surrounding the impact of mobile phone use on young people’s wellbeing, safeguarding, and learning, mobile phones and electronic devices will not be accessible for pupil use during the school day in any Dean Trust school. Many of our schools already operate in this way and, further to the new Act, our schools will be reviewing and strengthening their procedures ready for September.

As educators, our key responsibility is to provide a safe, supportive, and focused environment in which every child can thrive. Research highlights the significant challenges associated with mobile phone use among young people, including increased exposure to online risks, cyberbullying, social pressures, distraction from learning, and negative effects on mental health and wellbeing.

By ensuring our schools are ‘mobile phone-free by default’, we aim to:

Strengthen safeguarding and reduce exposure to online harm
Support children’s emotional health and wellbeing
Improve concentration, engagement, and academic achievement
Encourage positive social interaction and relationship-building
Ensure a calm and inclusive school environment

Your child’s school is currently exploring the options available to implement this policy, considering the logistics of their school site, the age range of their pupils, the number of pupils on roll and other practicalities. To ensure a mobile phone-free environment, The Dean Trust fully supports the use of electronic scanning arches, portable scanner wands and mobile phone pouches. Further details will be communicated directly by your child’s school in advance of the new academic year.

Please be advised, where there is reason to believe that a pupil is in possession of a mobile phone (or any other prohibited item), authorised staff have the legal right to search pupils and their possessions in accordance with current legislation and school policies. Any searches will be conducted proportionately, professionally and respectfully, with the welfare, dignity and rights of pupils remaining paramount at all times.

Schools will continue to have clear procedures in place to enable parents and carers to contact their child in emergencies and vice versa through school reception teams. Medical exceptions to the policy might apply (for example, for pupils who use an electronic device for diabetes monitoring) and these exceptions will be authorised by school staff on an individual basis.

You may wish for your child to have access to a mobile phone on their way to and from school. If your child does bring a mobile phone to school, they must follow their school’s procedures when on the school site. We appreciate that this change may require some adjustment; however, this approach will enable us to implement the government mandate and works in the best interests of our pupils. Our collective goal is to ensure that every pupil benefits from an environment that promotes safety, learning, wellbeing and healthy development.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide the very best educational experience for all children and young people across The Dean Trust.

Yours sincerely,
Jane O’Brien
Chief Executive Officer