Smartphone Free School
In September 2025, we wrote to families explaining that students will no longer be permitted to bring smartphones or smartwatches on to the school site.
The letter here includes a full explanation of our concerns about the detrimental impact of smartphones on children's safety, wellbeing and academic progress, and also sets out how we will implement this approach.
Students will be permitted to bring a basic phone to school with them for use on the way to and from school. Students will not be permitted to use these on the school site. They must be switched off, placed in the designated basket in the classroom where they will then be taken to the school office and locked in a cupboard.
A list of acceptable basic phones can be found in this document. These are devices that:
1. Do not have access to any app stores
2. Do not have mobile internet which is capable of supporting social media sites
3. Do not have cameras
We will update the list of acceptable phones over time. If you would like to make a suggestion for a device which you believe meets these criteria, please email us on office@hgjs.co.uk. We will reply to you and either add the device to our list of acceptable devices or explain our reasons for not accepting that device.
Your child will not be permitted to bring any other mobile device or smartwatch on to the school site. These will become prohibited items and will be confiscated. If you believe there are medical reasons why your child needs access to smart technology (e.g. continuous blood sugar monitoring for diabetic students), please contact us via office@hgjs.co.uk to discuss next steps.
|
Manufacturer |
Model Name |
Manufacturer Website |
Retailer |
Price when checked |
|
Nokia |
105 |
Buy SIM Free Nokia 105 Mobile Phone - Charcoal | SIM free phones | Argos or https://amzn.eu/d/4IgrNwB |
£24.99 |
|
|
Artfone |
F30 4G |
£49.99 |
||
|
Oakcastle |
F100 |
£14.95
|
||
|
Uleway |
Big Button Mobile Phone |
N/A |
£25.88 |
The retailers listed are indicative. We make no recommendations.
We will update the list of acceptable phones over time - please do not purchase any other phone with the intention of your child bringing it to school as these will not be permitted on site. If you would like to make a suggestion for a device which you believe meets the above criteria, please email us on office@hgjs.co.uk. We will reply to you and either add the device to our list of acceptable devices or explain our reasons for not accepting that device.
Last updated: 18 March 2025