Our approach at SNHS
At Sturminster Newton High School, our approach to mobile phones is guided by our commitment to provide a calm, safe and purposeful learning environment where every student can thrive.
The Department for Education’s statutory guidance states that “all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default” and that pupils should not have access to mobile phones during lessons, movement between lessons, breaktimes or lunchtime.
In line with this national expectation, Sturminster Newton High School operates a mobile phone-free environment throughout the school day. Our approach supports our responsibilities for behaviour, safeguarding and student wellbeing, whilst creating the conditions for students to focus fully on learning and engage positively with one another. The DfE guidance is clear that mobile phone-free environments help schools establish and maintain calm, safe and supportive settings for pupils and staff.
To support this approach, we use Blackout, a digital solution that restricts access to non-essential applications during the school day whilst maintaining access to essential communication functions where appropriate. Blackout helps us implement a consistent mobile phone-free environment whilst also teaching students to develop responsible and healthy digital habits. Blackout restricts access to non-essential apps during school hours whilst keeping essential functions available and collecting only limited device registration information.
Our aim is simple: to create the best possible conditions for learning, strengthen safeguarding, support wellbeing and help young people develop the digital responsibility they will need beyond school. This reflects both our school values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience and the expectations set out in the Department for Education’s statutory guidance.
Blackout and Digital Responsibility
Blackout operates automatically during school hours, restricting access to non-essential applications such as social media and gaming apps while keeping essential communication functions available. Phone calls and SMS messaging remain accessible for emergencies and important communication.
The aim is simple: to help students focus on learning, build positive relationships with their peers and develop healthier habits around technology use
Privacy and Safeguarding
Blackout has been designed with privacy at its core. The platform does not access messages, photographs, browsing history, contacts or location data. It only requires limited information to register a device and support its operation within the school environment.
The system supports our wider safeguarding strategy by helping us maintain a culture where learning comes first and students are protected from unnecessary distractions during the school day.
Working in Partnership with Families
We recognise that every family makes decisions about technology that are right for their child. Some students may use smartphones with Blackout, while others may choose to use a basic mobile phone. We respect both approaches.
What matters most is that young people develop the skills, judgement and self-discipline needed to navigate an increasingly digital world safely and responsibly.
We will continue to work closely with students, parents and carers to ensure our approach remains balanced, supportive and focused on student wellbeing, learning and success.
Implementation from September 2026
To support the introduction of this approach, students joining Year 7 in September 2026 will be the first cohort at Sturminster Newton High School to use Blackout as part of our mobile phone procedures. Following this initial launch, Blackout will be phased in across the remaining year groups during the Autumn Term 2026, allowing for a structured and supportive implementation across the school.
Over the summer holiday, our Mobile Phone Procedures and Policy will be updated to reflect this refined approach and the requirements of the new statutory guidance. These procedures should be read in conjunction with our Climate for Learning Policy which sets out our wider expectations for behaviour, learning and conduct. They will be updated and uploaded to the website shortly and we will ensure appropriate communication is sent to families ahead of this launch.
Through this phased implementation, we aim to ensure that students, families and staff are fully supported as we establish a consistent mobile phone-free environment that promotes learning, wellbeing, safeguarding and positive relationships across our school community. This approach is firmly rooted in our values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience and our commitment to creating the very best conditions for every student to succeed.
Blackout – Brochure Blackout – Year 6 Parent Information Evening Presentation Blackout Parent & Carer Information Pack 10.7.26 Blackout and Mobile Phone LetterPlease visit the Blackout Webpage for further information: Blackout Technologies | Education
