Phone bans create safer schools -Brianna's mum

Brianna Ghey, 16, was stabbed by two teenagers in a park in 2023

Locking mobile phones away in pouches at the start of the school day would create "safer and more focused classrooms", Brianna Ghey's mum has said.

Esther Ghey is urging Cheshire schools to take advantage of £150,000 funding for a pouches scheme after Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price said he wanted the county to be the first where all state secondary schools had them.

Brianna was murdered by two 15-year-olds in a park in Warrington in February 2023.

Her mother, who is campaigning for better safeguarding on mobile phones and social media, believes phone pouches in schools would have given Brianna "a better chance in life".

Ms Ghey said she welcomed the PCC's "real commitment to improving young people's wellbeing and safety".

"Lockable phone pouches are a simple step towards creating safer and more focused classrooms," she said.

"I truly hope other PCCs across the country follow his lead."

The £150,000 will partly fund the scheme, with schools needing to find further cash to fund the difference to cover all pupils.

The school Brianna attended, Birchwood Community High School in Warrington, introduced pouches to lock phones in on arrival at school last year, which students then carry around with them.

Head teacher Emma Mills previously said the effect has been "immense" in "every layer of school".

Currently, nine schools in Cheshire have similar systems in place, Cheshire's PCC said, and they are seeing a positive impact on wellbeing and a reduction in online safeguarding incidents.

Brianna's mum Esther Ghey has been campaigning for restrictions on teenagers' phone and online usage

Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders' union NAHT, said: "Many schools already have restrictions on phones, but it is really positive that this scheme recognises that financial support is often needed to help ensure these are truly effective."

Mr Price said: "From a crime prevention perspective, this is an absolute no-brainer.

"Less online bullying, less access to potentially harmful or violent content, less distractions, less exclusions.

"In Cheshire of all places, we know the impact this can have. That's why we must make this happen here."

Meanwhile in Greater Manchester, Holy Family RC & CE College in Heywood introduced lockable pouches at the beginning of term.

Head teacher Karen Ames said: "We've created a calmer, more connected community where students are focused on their learning and building real friendships.

"It has transformed the atmosphere around the school."

The government has previously said schools already have the power to ban phones.

Under the former Conservative government, they were issued non-statutory guidance intended to stop the use of phones.

Ms Ghey has called for a statutory ban that would see pupils unable to access phones for the entire school day.