School goes smartphone free in new challenge

Students and staff at Bournside School are taking part in the challenge.

A secondary school is encouraging its staff and students to try going smartphone free this term.

Its the latest challenge in a wider campaign at Bournside School in Cheltenham to delay children getting smartphones until at least Year 10.

School rules mean all phones have to be turned off and put away within school hours but the school wants to encourage less screen time at home too.

Those taking part said they have spent more time outside since they started the challenge.

"I've been spending a lot more time playing games and football with my brother," said Bournside student Louie, 12, after cutting his smartphone use for almost a month.

Bourneside school joins other secondary schools in Gloucestershire in the smartphone free campaign.

Louie said he would usually be on his phone "before and after school", mainly to play games and watch videos but said "frightening videos did keep coming up" on certain apps.

Those incidents are part of the reason why Louie wanted to take part in the challenge even though he "wasn't sure he could do it".

Faith, 12, said she has been "spending more time with family" and "becoming less reliant on screen time" since going smartphone free.

Benjamin, 11, said he used to watch YouTube regularly, but when his mum took it off his phone he said it was the "first night he spent hours outside in the garden with his sister".

"I've noticed I'm doing so much more outside and my sleeping patterns are better," said Jemima, 13.

Sally Lees, Safeguarding Lead launched the latest challenge and went smartphone free herself for a full term.

Sally Lees, Assistant Head & Designated Safeguarding Lead, said: "Since starting this challenge all the parents I have spoken have seen a big difference in their children.

"They are spending more time outdoors and they seem happier."

Since February 2025, Bournside School has been working with local primary schools, encouraging families to hold off giving their children smartphones until they reach Year 10.

Mrs Lees said: "We have worked hard on the curriculum so students do not need a smartphone until they reach GCSE years."

She added, the campaign is about providing the students with the support to have a "healthy relationship" with their phones.

After this challenge finishes on 23 May, Louie said he wants to keep up some of the habits but "sometimes after a hard day it's nice to just look on your phone for 10 minutes".