With its tougher policies on phone and social media use in schools, Barnet could be setting an example ahead of a possible national ban, currently being debated in Parliament.
Last week the House of Lords backed calls for smartphone bans in schools across England which would involve a Tory policy amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Barnet was the first local area in the country to ban smartphones from all its 126 schools.
In September Barnet Council announced its policy to prohibit smartphone use across all primary schools with many secondary schools working towards full bans for Year 7 pupils going up to Year 11, estimated to affect around 60,000 pupils across the borough.
Lucy Harrison, headteacher of the Archer Academy in Barnet who recently won London’s Headteacher of the Year in December, shared the long-term impact of the strict smartphone policy, where only ‘brick phones’ with no camera or internet access are allowed.
The change, introduced in 2015, has helped reduce distraction during the school day, and has been widely praised by parents.
“This is one of the best things I have done. If you plan it carefully all you get are benefits, there shouldn’t be any side effects that come with it.”
Lucy Harrison, Headteacher of the Archer Academy
The policy enforced by the council in 2025 was the result of local schools working together to address the perceived negative influences of social media on 11-15-year-olds.
Miss Harrison says banning smartphones was done in the hope of safeguarding children, preserving childhood and encouraging other boroughs to do the same.
Fiona Beresford from the charity Smartphone Free Childhood told City News how Barnet’s measures were implemented by a local school network working together to reset the norm.
But she said school policy was only one way to initiate this change.
She noted a desire from parents to ensure knowledge, focus and a thirst for life-long learning lived in educational environments.
“It is not about removing or restricting, it is a pro-active preparation.”
London-based parenting influencer Lucy (@lucylondonmum) told City News banning smartphones for under-16s should be less about punishment but rather giving children the space to develop socially, emotionally and academically.
“Smartphones put so much pressure on young people and having clearer boundaries in place would take the weight off families and schools.”
Critics of the smartphone ban in schools have often voiced concerns around the lack of support for SEND pupils and safety concerns for students on their commute home.
However, products like the Other Phone created in collaboration with Mumsnet, could be a solution, by putting parents in control of the apps their children are exposed to and limiting their social media access.
Following the full product release last month, co-founder of the Other Phone, Bernie Aspinall, said it had received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents – particularly those with SEND children as they can still receive personalised support which ‘brick phones’ have failed to offer.
And as Parliament continues to debate whether a national ban should be enforced, Barnet’s current approach and perceived positive impact it has made in the local community can already offer a glimpse for how schools across England might respond should this policy be successfully enforced nationwide.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineIs Barnet the blueprint for a future without phones?
Short HeadlineBarnet ban on smartphones sets the example
StandfirstThe local authority's borough-wide initiative spans across 126 schools
With its tougher policies on phone and social media use in schools, Barnet could be setting an example ahead of a possible national ban, currently being debated in Parliament.
Last week the House of Lords backed calls for smartphone bans in schools across England which would involve a Tory policy amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Barnet was the first local area in the country to ban smartphones from all its 126 schools.
In September Barnet Council announced its policy to prohibit smartphone use across all primary schools with many secondary schools working towards full bans for Year 7 pupils going up to Year 11, estimated to affect around 60,000 pupils across the borough.
Lucy Harrison, headteacher of the Archer Academy in Barnet who recently won London’s Headteacher of the Year in December, shared the long-term impact of the strict smartphone policy, where only ‘brick phones’ with no camera or internet access are allowed.
The change, introduced in 2015, has helped reduce distraction during the school day, and has been widely praised by parents.
“This is one of the best things I have done. If you plan it carefully all you get are benefits, there shouldn’t be any side effects that come with it.”
Lucy Harrison, Headteacher of the Archer Academy
The policy enforced by the council in 2025 was the result of local schools working together to address the perceived negative influences of social media on 11-15-year-olds.
Miss Harrison says banning smartphones was done in the hope of safeguarding children, preserving childhood and encouraging other boroughs to do the same.
Fiona Beresford from the charity Smartphone Free Childhood told City News how Barnet’s measures were implemented by a local school network working together to reset the norm.
But she said school policy was only one way to initiate this change.
She noted a desire from parents to ensure knowledge, focus and a thirst for life-long learning lived in educational environments.
“It is not about removing or restricting, it is a pro-active preparation.”
London-based parenting influencer Lucy (@lucylondonmum) told City News banning smartphones for under-16s should be less about punishment but rather giving children the space to develop socially, emotionally and academically.
“Smartphones put so much pressure on young people and having clearer boundaries in place would take the weight off families and schools.”
Critics of the smartphone ban in schools have often voiced concerns around the lack of support for SEND pupils and safety concerns for students on their commute home.
However, products like the Other Phone created in collaboration with Mumsnet, could be a solution, by putting parents in control of the apps their children are exposed to and limiting their social media access.
Following the full product release last month, co-founder of the Other Phone, Bernie Aspinall, said it had received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents – particularly those with SEND children as they can still receive personalised support which ‘brick phones’ have failed to offer.
And as Parliament continues to debate whether a national ban should be enforced, Barnet’s current approach and perceived positive impact it has made in the local community can already offer a glimpse for how schools across England might respond should this policy be successfully enforced nationwide.
Chan was convicted earlier today at Wood Green Crown Court after pleading guilty to 56 charges including sexual assault and making indecent images of children.
