At Becket Keys, we aim to create a calm, focused and respectful environment where every student can flourish. We hold firmly to our Christian values of respect, responsibility and love for one another, as commanded in John 15: “I appointed you to bear fruit – fruit that will last… This is my commandment, that you love one another.”
We recognise that some families appreciate their child carrying a mobile device for safety or ease of contact. However, we are also mindful of the impact that smartphones can have on learning, routines, resilience and wellbeing. Our approach is designed to help students concentrate on their studies, strengthen face‑to‑face relationships, and develop good habits that will serve them long after childhood.
Our Approach to Phones in School
Years 8–13 (Current Students)
Students in Years 8–13 may bring a smartphone to school, provided that both the student and parent agree to uphold the expectations listed below.
Year 7 from September 2026 (New Students)
Students joining Year 7 from September 2026 must not bring smartphones to school. They should:
- leave their smartphone at home, or
- bring a basic “brick” phone for essential calls/texts, and
- comply with the expectations below.
Approved models are:
- Nokia 105, or Nokia 110 or Nokia 225 or Nokia 2660 Flip or Nokia 2323
- Samsung E1170i or Samsung E1200 or Samsung E1270 Flip or Samsung GT-E1150 Flip or Samsung C3590
- TTfone TT190 or TTfone Star TT300 Flip Phone
- Xplora One
- The Phone
This approach will expand year‑on‑year until all Main School students are either leaving smartphones at home or only bringing an approved basic phone.
Students remain responsible for the safe‑keeping of devices unless handed directly to a member of staff.
Expectations for Years 7–11
To preserve a calm atmosphere and keep routines consistent for everyone:
Phones must:
- be switched off before entering the school site
- remain out of sight until 3:10pm
- never be used during the school day (including break and lunchtime) unless under clear staff supervision
- never be used for taking photos, videos or audio recordings without staff permission
- contain only material suitable for viewing in a school setting
- never be used for any act of unkindness, online or offline
If parents need to contact their child urgently during the school day, they should phone the school office and the message will be passed on.
If a member of staff asks for a device due to inappropriate use, it must be handed over immediately and without discussion.
Declaration
Parents are asked to agree to these expectations when completing enrolment paperwork.
Where agreement is
not given, we will assume a phone will not be brought to school.
Failure to meet these expectations will result in the phone being kept safely until the end of the day. The Head of Year will decide any further steps needed to support the student in meeting expectations consistently.
Why This Matters
Research suggests that excessive phone use can affect attention, sleep, emotional wellbeing and the ability to form healthy, resilient habits. By reducing smartphone use in school and encouraging simpler devices for essential contact, we are helping students develop the focus, calm and character that underpin strong learning and strong relationships.
Our aim is healthy formation of character – creating space for thinking, reading, prayer, conversation and growth, so that every student can “bear fruit – fruit that will last” without the peer pressure of having a smartphone device.
Why managed smartphones (e.g. Pinwheel) are not approved for Year 7
From September 2026, Becket Keys will operate a smartphone‑free policy for Year 7 students. This means that while pupils may bring a phone for safety and contact, it must be a basic phone limited to calls and SMS only, or no phone at all.
We are sometimes asked about “managed” or “child‑safe” smartphones, such as those using parental control technologies (for example, Pinwheel). While we recognise that these products are well‑intentioned and attractive to many families, they are not suitable for our Year 7 policy.
The reason is straightforward:
Our policy is not about how strictly a smartphone is controlled, but about not introducing smartphones at all at the start of secondary school.
Even when heavily restricted, managed smartphones:
- remain smartphones in design and capability
- operate on smartphone operating systems
- support apps and internet‑based services
- are designed to be expanded over time
- introduce additional temptation and inconsistency during the school day
Our approach for Year 7 is intentionally different. We want students to:
- settle into secondary school with calm, consistent routines
- focus fully on learning and face‑to‑face relationships
- not rely on constant monitoring
- experience a clear and level playing field for all students
For this reason, approved devices are those that are structurally limited by design, not simply restricted by settings. Phones such as basic “brick” or flip phones, and The Phone, allow families to stay in touch without introducing internet access, apps, or online messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
We understand that some parents value features such as GPS tracking. Where these can be provided without introducing internet‑enabled apps or services, we are open to this, which is why Xplora One and The Phone are included on our approved list. However, smartphones (even managed ones) fall outside the boundaries of this policy for Year 7.
This position will be applied consistently to all families, in the interests of fairness, safeguarding, and a calm learning environment. As students move through the school, we will continue to review how best to support them in developing healthy, responsible relationships with technology over time.
Working together: a Smartphone‑Free start to secondary school
We know that many parents are increasingly concerned about the impact of smartphones on children’s wellbeing, confidence and development — and you are not alone.
Our smartphone‑free approach for Year 7 is part of a growing national movement of families, schools and organisations who are choosing to delay smartphone use, giving children time and space to grow without the pressures of constant connectivity.
We strongly encourage parents to explore the work of Smartphone Free Childhood, a parent‑led initiative supporting families who want to take a more thoughtful, collective approach to children and smartphones:
https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/
The site provides:
- clear, research‑informed explanations of why delaying smartphones matters
- practical guidance for parents navigating everyday challenges
- reassurance that strong boundaries are not “anti‑technology”, but pro‑childhood
- a growing community of families making these decisions together
By signing up and engaging with Smartphone Free Childhood, parents can find encouragement, shared experiences and confidence in holding boundaries — particularly during the important transition to secondary school.
When families work together, children benefit most. A shared commitment helps reduce pressure on individual pupils, creates a level playing field, and supports a calmer, healthier school culture for everyone.
We are very grateful for parents’ partnership in this, and we look forward to working together to give our children the best possible start.
I'd like to track my child without an expensive phone
Other ways to track your child's location include GPS Trackers eg Macherelle