Consilium Academies  

Expectations for mobile phone use  

Creating Mobile‑Free Zones Across All Consilium Schools 

1. Aim 

Consilium Academies is committed to providing calm, safe, and focused learning environments across all our schools. In line with Department for Education expectations, all Consilium schools operate as mobile‑free zones.  This approach is grounded in national evidence showing that mobile phones can disrupt learning, reduce wellbeing, and increase safeguarding risks.  

This policy applies to all students in all Consilium Academies schools. 

2. Rationale 

2.1 Reducing Distractions and Improving Learning 

National surveys show that 58% of secondary students report phones being used in lessons without permission, causing distraction for the entire class. Removing mobile phones during the school day helps ensure students remain fully present, engaged, and able to thrive academically.  

2.2 Supporting Wellbeing and Positive Social Interaction 

Research indicates that screen time can displace beneficial activities such as socialising, exercise, and sleep. 
By prohibiting phone use, schools can create more opportunities for students to develop friendships, communicate face‑to‑face, and build healthy habits. 

2.3 Safeguarding and Online Safety 

One in five children has experienced online bullying, and risk increases with age. A mobile‑free school helps protect students from bullying, harmful online content, and the pressures of constant digital connectivity.  

2.4 National and International Precedent 

Mobile phone restrictions are already common in English schools—99.8% of primary and 90% of secondary schools have some form of limitation in place. Similar approaches exist in several countries worldwide, including France, the Netherlands, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.  

3. Scope of these expectations 

These expectations apply to: 

• All students across all Consilium Academies schools. 

• All school‑managed sites and learning spaces. 

• The full duration of the school day, including arrival, transitions, breaks, and lunchtimes. 

4. Expectations for Students 

Students must: 

• Not use, see, or hear their mobile phone or smart device at any point during the school day  

• Hand over devices immediately if requested by staff. 

• Phones should be kept in bags and never used, seen or heard.  

5. Reasonable Adjustments and Exemptions 

Consilium schools will make reasonable adjustments where required under the Equality Act. Exemptions may apply where students require mobile phones for: 

• Medical needs (e.g., diabetes monitoring).  

• SEND‑related communication needs.  

• Safety arrangements due to home circumstances (e.g., young carers).  

Any exemption will be authorised in writing by the Principal and reviewed regularly. 

6. Sanctions 

If a student breaches the mobile‑free policy, schools will: 

• On the first offence the school will confiscate the device, and the student may collect this at the end of day. After two occurrences, on the third offence the parent/ responsible adult is then required to collect the mobile phone and the device will not be returned to the student 

• Apply sanctions in line with the Behaviour Policy and DfE guidance on searching, screening, and confiscation. 

7. Communication With Parents and Carers 

Consilium Academies will communicate this policy clearly and repeatedly so parents and carers understand the educational, wellbeing, and safety benefits of mobile‑free schools. The DfE highlights that parents play a crucial role in eliminating distractions and ensuring policy consistency.  

Communication strategies will include: 

• Annual reminders in home–school agreements. 

• Clear messaging during transition and induction. 

• Visual signage and parent‑facing guidance on websites. 

• Use of facts and figures from national research to support understanding.  

8. Staff Responsibilities 

Staff must: 

• Model expected behaviour by wherever possible not using mobile phones in view of students, except for authorised operational use. 

• Enforce the mobile‑free policy consistently and fairly. 

• Report safeguarding concerns arising from mobile phone misuse. 

9. Implementation Across Consilium Academies 

All schools will: 

• Integrate this policy within their Behaviour Policy. 

• Review and ensure secure storage or collection systems as required. 

• Train staff in consistent enforcement. 

• Review the policy annually, in line with updated DfE guidance (most recently revised January 2026).  

10. Beyond the School Day 

While this policy covers the school day, schools may: 

• Provide guidance on safe and responsible mobile phone use outside school. 

• Set expectations for trips and residentials, in line with safeguarding considerations.