Ormiston Academies Trust Bans Phones in Schools

The Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) is implementing a ban on smartphone use across its 44 schools, affecting approximately 35,000 students, due to concerns about the detrimental impact of excessive phone use on mental health and learning. Chief executive Tom Rees highlighted a clear connection between mobile phone usage and rising mental health issues among adolescents, advocating for stricter policies to minimize distractions in the classroom. The ban will initially affect eight secondary academies, with plans to roll it out to the rest after consulting with parents. Current guidelines from the Department for Education encourage schools to limit phone use to improve behavior and reduce online bullying, as many students report using phones in class without permission. Rees noted that allowing phones on school premises is an inadequate response to the challenges they pose, including distractions that hinder learning. This initiative aligns with broader discussions in education policy regarding children's access to technology and its implications.