Milton Keynes schools to go phone-free thanks to Police and Crime Commissioner funding
Three schools across Milton Keynes are set to go phone-free thanks to funding from the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner.
Commissioner Matthew Barber launched the Phone Free Schools Fund in June with the aim of creating a better learning environment for secondary school pupils.
Launched to school leaders at an event in Didcot in June, 30 schools across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire are set to benefit from £254,000 of funding, to enable schools to become phone-free.
Funding for the scheme has come from money recovered from criminals, rather than the public purse.
Across Milton Keynes, Glebe Farm All-Through School, Kents Hill Park School and Shenley Brook End School will all receive funding as part of the scheme.
Police and Crime Commissioner Barber said: “I'm delighted to be supporting 30 local secondary schools in implementing phone-free solutions, taking money from criminals and reinvesting it back into the community.
“Creating phone-free environments in schools is not just about academic attainment - it supports safeguarding of our young people, reduces opportunities for anti-social behaviour and helps decrease the potential for young people to become involved in, or victims of, more serious crimes including exploitation.
“We cannot eliminate the risk entirely - students will still have access to their phones outside of school hours - but limiting access during the school day will guarantee pupils a break from online pressures and exposures.
“We know anecdotally from schools that have already implemented full phone-free policies that all of them have seen significant benefits and improved positive behaviours, so I am looking forward to seeing the impact of this initiative across the 30 schools funded.”
Schools will be able to get their own means of secure storage for phones, whether it is a lockable pouch, locker or box, with the stipulation that phones cannot be accessed during the school day unless in the event of an emergency.
Pupils will still be able to use their phones when travelling to or from school.
The first implementation of the scheme is due to begin in this autumn term.