Smartphone Free Childhood Braunton

01/07/2026

Starting Year 7? Here's our simple guide to Braunton's Smartphone Free Policy. 💚📚

Starting secondary school is an exciting milestone, and with it often comes lots of questions about phones.

We've created this simple guide to explain the Braunton Learning Cooperative Trust's Smartphone Free Policy in a clear, easy-to-read way.

The guide explains:
📱 Which phones are permitted.
🚫 Which devices aren't.
📍 Why simple GPS trackers are allowed.
💚 Why we've chosen this approach.
🎒 What happens if the policy isn't followed.

Our aim isn't to make life harder for families—it's to create safer schools, reduce distractions, protect children from online harms, and give parents the confidence to decide when their own child is ready for a smartphone.

For many families, this policy has also removed the pressure of feeling that "everyone else has one."

We hope this guide answers some of the common questions as your child prepares for Year 7. If you still have any queries, your school will be happy to help.

Together, we're creating schools where children can focus on learning, friendships and simply enjoying being young. 🌊💙

01/07/2026

Such a great interview with David Smith from Fulham. It highlights something we're seeing time and time again: it's often the parents, rather than the children themselves, who are most anxious about the move to smartphone-free school policies.

What's particularly interesting is that, once these policies are introduced and given time to settle, many schools report that children adapt remarkably quickly. Friendships continue, routines are established, and for many young people, school becomes a place with fewer distractions and less social pressure.

Change can feel daunting, especially when it involves something as significant as our children's safety and wellbeing. It's completely understandable that parents have questions and concerns. That's why hearing the experiences of schools that have already made the transition is so valuable.

A really thought-provoking watch and well worth a few minutes of your time.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

29/06/2026

🎉 One Year Smartphone Free – Thank You, Braunton! 💚

A year ago, every school across the Braunton Learning Community Trust took a bold step to help protect childhood by becoming smartphone free.

One year on, we're incredibly proud of what has been achieved. Schools have reported that safeguarding incidents linked to smartphones have reduced significantly, and pupils are spending more time talking, playing, learning and simply being children.

This hasn't happened by chance. It happened because schools, parents, governors and the wider community came together with a shared goal: to put children's wellbeing first.

To everyone who supported the journey – thank you. Your willingness to embrace change has helped create a safer, happier environment for our young people.

Braunton should be incredibly proud of what it has achieved. Here's to continuing to protect childhood, together. 💚

14/01/2026

Health experts warn a ‘surveillance childhood’ prevents youngsters learning the skills and developing the autonomy they need to navigate real life.

A great article challenging the social norm of tracking our children. What are unintended consequences?......

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/technology-uk/article/tracking-devices-apps-children-anxiety-bhs3gjn8c?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawPUPHRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETB3MU5iWEJoYWdYd1ZUdUpUc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhAMoNDvDbKmsFViO7z50gew1UrgOUjuhGkp8eKYyqPm5Qwu6cltIbmG07jb_aem_YOAm5wDMjafrbHx5kcacww =1767554979

Health experts warn a ‘surveillance childhood’ prevents youngsters learning the skills and developing the autonomy they need to navigate real life

14/01/2026

Sir Keir Starmer has told Labour MPs he is deeply concerned about the impact of excessive smartphone use on children and teenagers, in the latest signal that the British government is warming towards an Australia-style crackdown.

The prime minister told the weekly meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday night that he was alarmed by reports of five-year-olds unable to learn at school because they had spent so much time on screens. “I have been concerned about the issue for a very long time,” he said.

Starmer has previously said that his personal inclination is not to impose an Australia-style ban on under-16s having social media accounts, but his stance appears to have shifted in recent weeks.

Prime minister tells Labour MPs he is watching impact of Australia’s ban

14/01/2026

Parents a must watch:
https://youtu.be/R1pSNgcTins
Story here:
https://news.sky.com/.../how-britains-children-are-being...

One woman tells Sky News she first saw p**nography aged seven - and by the age of eight was watching extreme material. Shaniah Williams says seeing the conte...

14/01/2026

There’s still time to make a real difference!
The CrowdJustice fundraiser has been extended, which means there is still an opportunity to support the legal case calling for smartphones to be prohibited in our schools 📵
Please stand with Flossie and the other claimants, who are speaking up on behalf of thousands of families asking for this vital change to better safeguard all schoolchildren
If you are able to please consider donating, but if not you can still make a huge impact by sharing this message far and wide. Every share helps build momentum.
https://www.crowdjustice.com/.../ban-smartphones-in-schools/
Thank you for being part of this important movement! 🤝
Film credit to: Reclaim Childhood
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg3YAvVNCkg&feature=youtu.be

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/ban-smartphones-in-schools/This film was created by Reclaim Childhood in collaboration with the fathers bringing this judic...

14/01/2026

Dad & daughter raise awareness on what can seem like harmless fun - is actually manipulation by marketing companies using kids to sell products!
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTQ3omcElRP/?igsh=cmt5eDhxeTBkdGE=

14/01/2026

Smartphone Free Schools - Brick phone only policy 💪
A powerful clip from a webinar hosted by Generation Focus.

Fay Bowler, Braunton Academy
Fay’s talk from an academy’s perspective and highlights how much easier this policy is to achieve working collaboratively with local primary schools 🤝
🎧 To listen to the whole webinar please search:
YouTube: Generation Focus head teacher webinar
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tQGXQUViu7I

UK 🇬🇧 Schools let’s do this to better safeguard all of our school children 🤝

We hear from three head teachers who've gone smartphone free. Lucy Harrison, Head of Archer AcademyFay Bowler, Braunton Academy David Smith, Head of Fulham B...

14/01/2026

A countywide ban on student smartphone use during the school day from the start of the next academic year in September 2026 has moved a step closer after our councillors overwhelmingly endorsed the principle.

The motion put forward at today’s Full Council meeting (Thursday 4 September) by Councillor Graham Bell, sought to reflect “the administration’s commitment to putting children’s wellbeing first”, with the aim of ensuring that nearly 40,000 pupils in Devon’s maintained schools are better protected from digital distraction, isolation, and harm.

Councillors raised concerns that smartphones are a growing source of distraction which leads to a number of issues including bullying, sleep disruption, and anxiety.

The County Council will support the Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) campaign and will aim to carry out a consultation before the start of the Spring Term with results being analysed by February 2026.

A countywide ban on student smartphone use during the school day from the start of the next academic year in September 2026 has moved a step closer after our