Case-studies-example-Cunningham Hill — Smartphone Free Schools

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Cunningham Hill Infant and Junior Schools, St Albans

THE SCHOOL

Cunningham Hill Schools are a federation of Cunningham Hill Infant and Junior state primary schools in St. Albans with 420 pupils aged 4-11.

THE PROBLEM

Before the ban, smartphones were causing multiple issues for staff:
Inappropriate content
Teachers reported issues with inappropriate content being sent on Whatsapp.

Misogynistic ideologies
Staff observed a big focus on Andrew Tate amongst Year 6 boys, which they attributed to the content they were seeing on social media.

Body image issues
Inappropriate content was also contributing unhealthy body image, with Smartwatches felt to be contributing to calorie-counting in girls and boys.

Cyber-bullying
There were problems with children being left out and bullied online. Teachers tell us this was the issue we were dealing more than anything else in school.
Misinformation
Teachers were noticing children talking about fake news that they had seen online, believing it was real.

THE ACTION

In May 2024, Executive Head Justine Elbourne-Cload, along with Head of Schools Matthew Tavender, brought together 33 of the 36 Primary school Heads in St. Albans, to take collective action on smartphones. The group committed to banning phones in their schools. They also wrote a collective letter to parents asking them to delay giving their children smartphones until 14. They have introduced a SFC parent ambassador in every year group and the lead ambassador is in regular contact with school to ensure continued support of the movement.

THE IMPACT

In just a few months, teachers have already noticed some key changes in their children.
More play
Children are playing outside more. Teachers have reported “seeing children’s imagination returning”, as they get become less reliant on screens.

A reduction in cyber-bullying
Teachers report a steep drop in reports of cyber-bullying during school holidays. In the past they’d be fielding reports from parents of multiple issues on Whatsapp, where this summer there were none. They see this is directly linked to banning smartphones.

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“We don't allow technology on our Year 6 residential trip to Wales. Rather than just waiting for the next text message, the children spent their day digging holes. Some children struggled at the beginning because they didn’t know what to do. They didn’t know how to play outside. But after just a day, they were all desperate to play outside. They didn’t care what the weather was like, they just wanted to go down to the beach.”

Matthew Tavender, Head of Schools, Cunningham Hill School

KEY INFORMATION

Local authority
St Albans City & District Council, Hertfordshire

Policy
Smartphones banned from school premises. Smartphones banned from school (September)

Date policy implemented
May 2024

Pupil demographics
Number of pupils: 420
Age-range: 4-11
Pupils eligible for free school meals: 15.5%
English as an additional language: 42.9%

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