Council supports stronger measures to curb smartphone use in Cheshire schools

Cheshire East Council has reinforced its commitment to reducing smartphone use during the school day across the borough’s schools.

At today’s meeting (16th February) of the children and families committee, members backed proposals to reiterate the Department for Education’s guidance for schools on prohibiting the use of mobile phones throughout the school day. The committee also agreed to continue help connect local schools with the advisory board formed by the Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner of nine schools across Cheshire who are already using phone pouches. 

The council will continue to work closely with Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner to support the ambition for Cheshire to become the first county in the country where every secondary school adopts lockable phone pouches by September 2026. Currently more than 63 per cent of state high schools in the county are either using the pouches or have plans to adopt them. 

This follows progress at Tytherington School in Macclesfield, one of the nine schools who implemented the pouches from September 2025. Headteacher Manny Botwe says it has already made a noticeable difference. 

Mr Botwe said:

"We've seen an immediate improvement in behaviour and concentration in class. Safeguarding concerns linked to phones and social media have already taken a noticeable dip, and students are engaging more positively with their learning and with one another." 

The committee’s decision sits alongside a Notice of Motion ‘Prohibiting Smartphone Use in Local Authority Schools’. The motion was introduced at full council in December 2025 and was subsequently referred to the children and families committee for further consideration. 

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said: 

“Ensuring the wellbeing, safety and focus of our children and young people is a priority for this council. The Department for Education’s guidance is clear, and by supporting schools to adopt consistent approaches to limiting mobile phone use during the school day, we can help create calmer learning environments where pupils are better able to concentrate and thrive. 

“We also welcome the opportunity to work closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner and with schools involved in Cheshire so far. Currently thirteen Cheshire East secondary schools have expressed an interest with the PCC. This is ultimately about giving every child the best chance to succeed, free from unnecessary pressures and interruptions, and ensuring our schools remain places where they can learn, socialise and feel safe.” 

Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: 

“When I launched the campaign at the end of last year to make Cheshire the first county with phone‑free education, I knew it would get attention. The progress speaks for itself - we’ve gone from nine schools to 45 already using or planning to use lockable phone pouches. We’re well on track to hit the target. And with Cheshire East Council now backing this tougher approach on phones in schools, the initiative has even more support behind it. 

“This isn’t just about distraction. It’s about cutting off opportunities for criminals and reducing online safeguarding risks. All helping to keep young people safer as we push to make every Cheshire state high school phone‑free by September 2026.”