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School goes smartphone free in new challenge

Georgina Stone
BBC News, West of England
BBC A number of pupils and one member of staff are sat around a wooden bench, all looking at the camera. One one side of the bench, a boy and a girl are sat. They are both wearing navy blue school blazers. On the other side of the bench a member of staff is wearing a black and white patterned top with two pupils sat next to her. One is a girl wearing a navy and white PE top and the other is a boy wearing black framed glasses and a navy blazer. BBC
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.

The front of Bournside School in Cheltenham. In the foreground of the image is a sign which shows the school name and crest with 'reception' and an arrow point upwards, and below 'Sixth Form' with an arrow to the right. Bind you can see the glass front of the school with a 'reception' sign above. There is a path up to the entrance of the school with grass either side.
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.

A women with light brown hair is looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a black and white patterned top. She is in an outdoor location with blue sky and some plants in the background.
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".

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