Phone Ban for Year Sevens at Islwyn High School
Islwyn High School has implemented a policy where year seven pupils are not allowed to use their phones during the school day, while older students retain phone privileges during break times. The youngest pupils also eat in a separate dining area and play on a different yard, distinguishing their experience from the rest of the school.
This policy has led to some siblings being subject to different rules. Lily, 13, told her younger sister Ruby, "
I think you feel a little bit jealous of me." Ruby described the situation as "
a bit unfair" but added, "
It didn't really bother me because I wasn't allowed to use it in primary school."
The secondary school, located in Caerphilly county, has been running a pilot program requiring the youngest year group to place their phones into sealed pouches during the day. Older students are still permitted to use their devices at break times.
BBC Wales surveyed all secondary and all-age schools in Wales regarding their phone policies for years seven to 11. The Welsh government has announced a national survey on phone use in schools.
Reactions among pupils have been mixed. Lily said that if the ban were extended to all students, she would be "
a bit upset" because "
It would just feel really weird to spring it on us now."
Luke, the father of year seven pupil Evan, praised the pilot as a "
fantastic idea" and said he was not concerned about not being able to contact his son directly during school hours.
"
It wasn't a problem for me when I was younger," he said. "
You just ring the office, so I don't think it's a massive problem."
School Responses and Policy Trends Across Wales
Islwyn High School was among nearly 100 schools—almost half of Wales' secondary schools—that responded to BBC Wales' inquiry on phone policies. Most schools reported significant benefits from phone restrictions but noted challenges such as conflicts with pupils over enforcement and some lack of parental support.
A majority of responding schools reported banning phones during the school day, with many having tightened their policies in recent years. Most expressed a desire for a clear, all-Wales policy.
At Islwyn High, phones remain allowed for all students during break and lunch times. However, in September 2025, a new system was introduced for year seven students, who had just transitioned from primary school.
Deputy head and safeguarding lead Nicola Bowden explained the policy was introduced due to social media issues becoming "
unmanageable" and the school's intent to address the impact on pupils' wellbeing.
Head teacher Jason Hicks noted that the school's design, which already separated younger pupils into distinct areas, "
lent itself really well to a pilot."
"
It's our responsibility as a school to do what we think is right for young people in our care," Hicks said.
The school's governors will decide during the summer term whether to extend the ban to more pupils. Hicks indicated it is "
highly likely" the policy will continue with year sevens as they advance through the school "
at the very least."
Implementing the pilot required financial investment. The school chose a system where pupils place their phones in sealed pouches that can only be opened at the end of the day using a special magnetic device. The cost was approximately £8 per pupil, totaling £1,700 for the year group.
"
Money's very scarce in education but it's fully justified," Hicks said.
Survey Results on Phone Policies in Welsh Schools
BBC Wales contacted all 204 secondary and all-age schools in Wales about their phone policies. Of the 95 schools that responded, 83 prohibited phone use during the school day.
Most schools required phones to be kept in bags throughout the day, while seven used a pouch system similar to Islwyn High's pilot. A few schools asked pupils to hand in devices to form tutors or the school office. Twelve schools allowed phone use during break times.
Over half of the respondents had changed their policies in the past two years, mostly moving toward stricter restrictions. Feedback on the impact was overwhelmingly positive, with reports of improved student interaction, social skills, and behaviour, as well as fewer social media bullying incidents.
Comments from schools included "
calmer in lessons", "
less fall out between pupils during the day", and "
board games seen during lunch".
However, one school reported pupils becoming "
more sneaky" by using phones under desks and in toilets after sanctions for rule-breaking were clarified.
Enforcing stricter policies has not been without challenges. An Anglesey head teacher described the enforcement as requiring "
a level of time and emotional energy that's exhausting for staff."
Adam Williams, head teacher of Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi, noted "
mixed views" from parents, pupils, and teachers when the school consulted on its phone policy two years ago. The policy addressed disruptions caused by phones.
While phones are no longer allowed in lessons, students may use them during break times. The school had previously retreated from a stricter ban.
Williams said, "
parental support is very mixed" and managing phone use during breaks created "
flashpoints for conflict" between pupils and staff.
"
We don't always get the backing that's needed when it comes to restricting or banning phones, and this can create more conflict than is needed between home and school," Williams added.
He also highlighted concerns in some schools, especially in areas of high deprivation, that a complete ban could lead to more conflict, increased sanctions, and even more exclusions.
"
At a time when attitudes towards education and good attendance are already fragile, this represents a real risk," he said.
Parental and Staff Perspectives on Phone Policies
Another school leader responding to the questionnaire noted that while many parents were supportive, some "
don't always support the school policy and will on occasions tell students not to hand phones in to staff."
Before launching its pilot, Islwyn High staff visited Ysgol Aberconwy in Conwy, the first school in Wales to introduce a pouch system in September 2023. Head teacher Ian Gerrard described the impact as "
nothing short of transformational" when the ban was introduced for the whole school simultaneously.
"
I think the real benefit is to have a very clear-cut policy, that everybody knows where they stand," Gerrard said.
Arwen, a year 11 pupil, said she was "
quite resistant to it" initially because she used to text friends rather than talk to them.
"
Now I see how ridiculous that was, when they were across the table from me," she said.
She added that she is less reliant on her phone and appreciates that "
people aren't taking photos of you without you knowing because that used to be a big thing."
BBC Wales' research indicated that many schools have different rules for sixth formers, who are often allowed to use phones in common rooms or designated areas but usually not in corridors.
Parents have raised concerns about children being asked to use phones for tasks in lessons, but most schools reported this is uncommon. Some schools have invested in laptops or tablets to reduce reliance on phones.
A few schools allow phones to be used at the teacher's discretion for tasks such as photography.
When rules are broken, schools typically confiscate phones for the day, escalating to longer bans, detentions, and parental contact for repeated violations.
Nearly all schools said local authorities do not set phone policies, though Carmarthenshire County Council has a "Phones Out of Sight" policy prohibiting phone use during the day for years seven to 11.
When asked about a blanket Welsh government policy on phones in schools, 71 schools expressed support.
The Welsh government announced a national survey on phone use last month, preceding a proposed consultation and guidance process.
Hicks said, "
I think the issue is significant enough that we would welcome a position from Welsh government, rather than 'it's for governing bodies to decide', which is the current situation."
Gerrard expressed mixed feelings, stating, "
I think it's really helpful to have some guidance from government, but it's equally true that schools need to find a policy to fit their own context."
Political Party Positions on Phone Use in Schools
Plaid Cymru cited growing evidence that the harm caused by smartphones outweighs the benefits for children and young people. The party plans to "
empower local authorities to promote safety, learning and student wellbeing by restricting the use of smartphones in schools for under-16s" with "
reasonable and relevant exemptions."
A Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson supported "
a clear, Wales-wide approach to limiting smartphone use in schools, including a legal ban during the school day." They emphasized that the ban should be applied with "
common sense and with exemptions for young carers or pupils managing health conditions."
Welsh Labour stated that "
decisions on smartphone use in Wales, including during break times, remain a matter for individual schools." The party affirmed its commitment to raising standards and supporting schools that seek to restrict mobile phone use to protect learners and improve engagement.
The Welsh Conservatives described phones as "
a major distraction" undermining learning. Their spokesperson said, "
That is why the Welsh Conservatives will ban mobile phones from classrooms, with sensible exemptions for pupils with medical needs."
Reform UK has proposed banning phones in schools, while the Wales Green Party advocates for phone-free school environments.
