Newquay teacher calls for smartphone free schools
30 per cent of teachers report pupils using phones in lessons without permission, research suggests
Last updated 18th Mar 2025
A Newquay teacher is calling for schools in the town to be smartphone free.
Charlie Seyfert, teacher at Treviglas Academy, is supporting the Smartphone Free Childhood parents pact.
The national pact has been signed by more than 100,000 people, including a number of celebrities, such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Joe Wicks, Paloma Faith and Jamie Redknapp.
Charlie told us: "Children are very secretive about what they are doing on their phones. They don't feel they can share some of the things they've seen, read or what's being said about them with their parents.
"It's partly because they feel their parents will take their smartphones away from them, which is a huge concern."
An information event has been hosted at St Columb Minor Academy today (Friday 14 March) for Newquay parents and carers from various schools in the town to discuss smartphone use with young people.
Charlie Seyfert added: "In London there's several towns which have smartphone free schools. It is possible."
According to UK group Smartphone Free Schools, 30 per cent of teachers report pupils using phones in lessons without permission.
Research also suggests children at smartphone free schools get GCSE results 1-2 grades higher, but despite this, only 11% of schools are completely smartphone free.
Data from Ofsted also reveals the harmful content children often see online, with research showing 90 per cent of girls and 50 per cent of boys have been sent explicit content.
Natalie Simmons, head teacher at St Columb Minor, said: "I'm really passionate about making sure childhood is about being a child, enjoying all those things that we know make childhood special like playing outside and genuine connections.
"I think delaying smartphone use for as long as possible will make sure that happens."
The talk in Newquay hopes to foster open and non-judgmental conversations between parents and teachers, and share information about the impact of phone use in school settings.