Richard interviewed Vicki Dean, Principal at Tenbury High Ormiston Academy, about Ormiston’s smartphone policy requiring pupils to hand in their phones at the start of the day and collect them at the end.
Vicki outlines how the policy has transformed social behaviour: instead of being absorbed in screens, students spend breaks playing games like football or tag, learning to socialise and entertain themselves “old school.” Vicki describes how the policy is implemented in practice, including exceptions for pupils with underlying medical conditions.
The article highlights how students themselves report benefits, including fewer distractions, reduced stress, and no temptation to check messages during lessons. The article also highlights growing support for phone bans elsewhere, with parents citing concerns about distraction, social media, and online safety.