Lasswade High School: Mobile Phone Consultation Update

Following an extensive consultation period in early 2026, we are now releasing the findings of our Mobile Phone Consultation Outcome Report. The consultation sought views from staff, students, and parents/carers to address growing concerns regarding the impact of digital devices on learning and mental health.

Why Change is Happening

We initiated this review citing a growing body of evidence—including research by Jonathan Haidt and Johann Hari—linking mobile phone use to declining concentration, reduced attention spans, and deteriorating mental health. Furthermore, classroom evidence suggests that limiting phone use can significantly improve student focus and academic outcomes.

Key Findings from Our Community

The consultation revealed a range of perspectives across different stakeholder groups:

• Parents and Carers: There is a significant consensus in favour of stronger restrictions to improve academic focus and social wellbeing. While 98.9% of students bring a phone to school, parents believe they should primarily be used for safe travel to and from school rather than during the school day.
• Staff: An overwhelming majority of staff identify mobile phones as major barriers to learning and classroom management. 83% of staff reported witnessing disruptive phone use frequently, and 94.7% noted a negative impact on student attention spans.
• Students: In contrast, students were overwhelmingly opposed to a total ban, describing the idea as “unfair” or “unrealistic”. Many students reported using their phones responsibly during breaks or as educational tools when school-issued Chromebooks were insufficient for high-quality media work or research.
• Essential Needs: A vital theme across all groups was the necessity of phones for medical monitoring, e.g., blood sugar levels for diabetic students.

The Way Forward: A Phone-Free School Day

Based on these findings, Lasswade High School plan to implement a restricted use mobile policy beginning in August 2026. We will plan over the next few months towards:

• Phone-Free Building: The school building being a phone-free for the duration of the school day, including breaks and lunchtimes.
• Safe Travel: Students will still be permitted to bring phones to school to ensure they can contact family during their commute, but they must be ‘stored’, see below,  during school hours.
• Exemptions: Clear exemptions will be established for students who require their devices for identified health or medical reasons.
• Storage Solutions: The school is currently investigating physical storage options, such as lockers or secure pouches, to manage devices during the day.
• Improving Technology: To ensure learning is not hindered, the school will work with the local authority to address the technical limitations of current school devices, reducing the perceived need for students to use personal phones for schoolwork.

This work, and ultimately new policy,  aims to create a consistent, focused, and socially positive environment for all students and staff in our school. Further details on the implementation plan and specific procedures will be communicated to all stakeholders as they are finalised.

The full report is accessible via the following link,  Mobile Phone Consultation Report March 2026