Newquay’s Primary Schools Unite Behind New Smartphone-Free Schools Agreement

The agreement, developed in partnership between Newquay Town Council, local head teachers and smartphone-free school advocates, asks pupils not to bring smartphones into school. The initiative addresses growing concerns around online harm, classroom distraction and the pressures of early smartphone use on young children.

Why Newquay’s Schools Have Taken This Step

Teachers across the town have reported increasing challenges linked to smartphone use among primary-aged children, including:

• Reduced concentration in class.
• Rising anxiety and social pressures connected to apps and social media.
• Greater exposure to inappropriate or harmful online content, including cyberbullying.

Where there is a genuine need to carry a phone for travel, medical or safety reasons, only a basic call-and-text device (“simple phone, basic phone or brick phone”) will be allowed or a device specifically for the medical need. This must be agreed in advance

Collaboration Led by Newquay Town Council

Newquay Town Council played a key role in bringing together:

• Local primary head teachers.
• Advocates from the smartphone-free schooling movement.
• Councillors committed to child wellbeing.

Councillors Liz Wright and the Mayor, Cllr Drew Creek, hosted the signing event and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting the town’s schools as they work to create healthier digital habits for young people.

To help raise awareness, the Council will be gifting every primary school in Newquay a Smartphone-Free School banner, designed to be displayed at school entrances as a visual reminder of the town’s united approach.

A Message from Liz Wright, Town Councillor:

“As a town councillor, I’ve been increasingly concerned about the impact smartphones can have on children’s concentration, mental health and social development. Bringing head teachers together with smartphone-free school advocates helped create a shared understanding and the confidence to act collectively. This covenant sends a clear message that in Newquay, children’s learning and wellbeing come first.”

A Community-Led Approach

This town-wide agreement reflects a wider national conversation about how best to support children in an increasingly digital world. By taking a shared, consistent approach, Newquay’s primary schools are creating calmer classrooms, reducing online pressures and offering a united message to families.

The initiative also supports ongoing local efforts to promote healthier digital habits and strengthen community resilience around online safety.

Looking Ahead

Newquay Town Council will continue to work with local education partners, with the next steps including:

• Sharing Newquay’s approach with Cornwall Council to encourage wider conversations across the county
• Exploring the extension of the agreement to Newquay Tretherras and Treviglas Academy

Newquay is proud to be leading proactive, community-focused work that puts children’s wellbeing at its heart.