Thames Valley schools offered £255,000 funding to go phone-free
New initiative aims to reduce distractions and improve student wellbeing
Secondary schools across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Milton Keynes are being encouraged to adopt phone-free policies with the support of a new £255,000 fund.
Announced today by Matthew Barber, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, the funding is aimed at helping schools become mobile-free during the school day.
Schools are invited to use the funding for secure mobile storage solutions such as lockable pouches or lockers.
This financial support is sourced from the sale of stolen goods and criminal court orders, according to Barber.
Matthew Barber discussed the current challenges with phone policies and the benefits of a phone-free environment, stating, "More than half of the schools in Thames Valley that we spoke to had inadequate policies simply requiring phones to be turned off and in bags. We know this is ineffective, difficult to enforce and ultimately leads to more disruption and confrontation."
"Smartphones have clear benefits, but we’re also increasingly aware of the potential harms they can cause. Schools and the police see firsthand the safeguarding issues brought about by mobile phone use such as online conflict and bullying, peer pressure and exposure to harmful content as well as vulnerability to exploitation. These issues all have real-world consequences for young people’s safety and wellbeing as well as impacting their behaviour and academic attainment."
"I am pleased to be investing this funding, which has been seized from criminals, back into our community. A full phone-free approach in schools aligns with my priority to prevent crime and keep young people safe, while guaranteeing pupils a break from online pressures and the opportunity to learn in an environment free from distraction."
Aureus School headteacher Kirsty Rogers shared their school’s success in being phone-free, saying, "At Aureus, our move to a phone-free school has been transformative for both learning and well-being. We have seen a notable improvement in students’ focus, engagement in lessons, and the quality of social interaction across the school day. Creating an environment free from the distractions of mobile devices enables our young people to be fully present, both academically and socially. We are therefore delighted to support this initiative and to see further investment in approaches that place students’ learning, well-being, and personal development at the forefront."
Graham Dugoni, founder and CEO of Yondr, echoed the positive impact, stating, "Events like this demonstrate the growing momentum behind phone-free schools in the UK. School leaders are recognising that creating focused, distraction-free environments helps build a culture where pupils can truly connect with their learning and with each other."
"This new fund from Matthew Barber and the Thames Valley Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is an important and practical step in helping more schools make that change. It recognises that effective phone-free policies are not only about reducing distraction, but about supporting safeguarding, wellbeing and stronger school communities. We are pleased to contribute to this work and welcome the PCC’s leadership in backing schools to create healthier, safer environments for young people."
The drive towards phone-free schools follows the government’s mandate for all schools to be mobile phone-free environments with legal requirements to be established.
Funding applications are open for the 2026/27 academic year with secondary, middle, and all-through schools eligible to apply until Sunday 26th July 2026.