St Peter’s is pleased to announce the next step in our commitment to creating a focused and distraction-free learning environment by extending our no-smartphones policy from September 2025. This change will accompany the rollout of one-to-one Microsoft Surface Pro devices, part of a long-term strategy to enhance and augment teaching and learning across the school. The devices also enable us to continue our use of Teams and other apps for workflow and communication.
Building on the success of an existing phone ban for Years 8 and below, we are bringing this forward for Years 9 and 10 initially. Pupils will have to place their phones in magnetically sealed pouches during the school day which remain locked until opened under staff supervision.
This approach supports our mission to reduce distractions, improve wellbeing, and foster more purposeful use of technology for learning. It will also encourage pupils to use shared time for conversation and connection, without the distraction of phones.
“Bringing in powerful learning tools like the Microsoft Surface Pro combined with the smartphone ban, supports our aim to strike the right balance between purposeful technology use and limiting unnecessary screen time,” said Mr Walker, Head Master at St Peter’s.
Staff training is currently underway, and pupils are beginning to familiarise themselves with the devices in preparation for September.
From September 2026, this will be extended to the end of Year 11 as all pupils will have access to a school-provided Surface Pro by that time which will be used to augment teaching and learning.
Sixth Form pupils will continue to follow a Bring Your Own Device model to support subject flexibility and reflect the extra freedoms they are given as our most senior pupils. They will be trusted to follow a strict set of usage rules.
“We are proud to be making these changes not just to enhance academic learning, but to support the wellbeing and focus of every student,” said Mr Walker. “With the right tools and a clear, consistent approach, we are creating a school environment that enables young people to thrive both in and out of the classroom.”
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