At Woodlands Primary School, we are committed to putting children’s wellbeing first — not just in the classroom, but in every aspect of their lives. That’s why we are supporting the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, which encourages parents to delay giving children smartphones until they are ready — emotionally, socially, and developmentally.

This national campaign has now been backed by over 350,000 families across the UK. You can find out more about it here:
👉 smartphonefreechildhood.org

Our School’s Approach

Starting September 2025, we will begin introducing changes to align our policy with this important movement:

• Year 5 and below: Smartphones will no longer be permitted in school. If a phone is needed for contact, it must be a basic, non-smart model.

• Year 6 (2025–26): We strongly discourage smartphone use and recommend alternatives.

• From September 2026: Woodlands will be a smartphone-free school for all children.

These changes are part of a wider effort, working in partnership with parents, local schools and our MP, to protect and promote children’s digital wellbeing across Tonbridge.

Why This Matters

Smartphones are reshaping childhood at a pace few predicted. Children are spending more time indoors, less time playing and exploring, and are increasingly exposed to harmful content, poor sleep and social pressure.

Research is now clear: early smartphone use is linked to rising mental health challenges, addiction-like behaviour, disrupted attention and negative impacts on sleep, relationships and learning.

We believe children deserve a slower, safer childhood — one rich in play, curiosity, friendship and freedom from digital distraction.

What You Can Do

If you're not sure how to approach this with your child, you're not alone. Many parents are navigating the same questions. Our parent communication below (sent out in June 2025) includes:

✅ How to talk to your child
✅ Alternatives to smartphones
✅ Simple phones that still allow contact
✅ How to join our Woodlands Parent Pact

You’ll also find key facts about the impact of smartphones and how we can work together to protect childhood — one family at a time.

Thank you for standing with us as we build a community where children can grow up with less pressure, more play, and a strong foundation for lifelong wellbeing.

If you have any questions or would like to talk more about this, please get in touch. We're here to support you.