Bishop’s Stortford Education

[Bridget Phillipson @bphillipsonMP]

The most ambitious SEND training package in our country’s history.

Every child in every nursery, school & college across England will be taught by staff who can support a range of needs.

Labour is building schools where every child can achieve & thrive.

https://t.co/Mc6Sj0pcWB

[Cerys Turner @cerysturner7]

Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver welcomed the govt’s consultation on under-16s social media restrictions, but questioned timing.

“I think it's a little bit late. I would have done it sooner.”

[Good Morning Britain @GMB]

Mobile phones have no place in schools says the Education Secretary who has issued updated guidance on the controversial matter for schools across the country.

In a letter to school leaders, Bridget Phillipson admitted the previous advice wasn't clear enough.

[safescreenscampaign @safe_screens]

When questioned by @SophyRidgeSky - @jessphillips says @10DowningStreet will take an evidence based approach. Yet we don’t even have a school smartphone ban despite evidence it will reduce safeguarding concerns and distraction & improve grades & wellbeing
https://t.co/EeFNHZA5Gt

[Katharine Birbalsingh @Miss_Snuffy]

Yup.

Don’t give your kids devices.

No smartphone.

No ipad.

Love your kids. 🙏

[Bishop’s Stortford Education @BishopEducation]

This video reviews the 8 best phones for kids with no social media and no toxic or addictive algorithms. https://t.co/TTK3WdnvFE

[Bishop’s Stortford Education @BishopEducation]

@Miss_Snuffy @gemcch @safe_screens

[Bishop’s Stortford Education @BishopEducation]

@tombennett71 @gemcch @safe_screens

[Tom Bennett OBE @tombennett71]

This is well meant but I can't agree.
1. Smartphones are designed to be attention magnets, which reduces motivation and focus.
2. They're a safeguarding nightmare, exposing children to every nightmare the human mind can conceive of, or meet. 'When should I let my kids have their own iPhone?' I'm often asked. 'When you're happy for them to see pornography and horror, or discern a paedophile from a penpal,' is my answer.
3. The way we 'teach children to use them' is to teach them the habit of not feeling compelled to be on them constantly. They don't need training in how to use apps properly etc. Children will not willingly choose to be off something that is designed to capture their attention and devotion. The manufacturers don't care if they're learning Latin or posting racist Pepe memes, as long as their eyeballs are aimed at the plastic.

It's the duty of adults to protect children from these hazards that can stunt their safety and learning, until they possess the habits and inclinations of maturity to do so independently. The analogy with other toxic material like tobacco is closer than this article suggests.

Lots of schools have 'bans' but don't actually enforce them, as I see on a weekly basis. But schools that do this, and do so with enthusiasm and sincerity, never regret it. No schools chooses to undo a phone ban once they have seen the improvement it makes to the fabric of their community. Teachers, parents *and* students prefer it after a few months.

Ban phones in schools from gate to gate, except in very niche circumstances. Leaders don't need the law to compel this, to act. You certainly don't need expensive pouches or kit of any kind.

It just needs the heart to make it happen.

[Bishop’s Stortford Education @BishopEducation]

@Miss_Snuffy @gemcch @safe_screens

[Katharine Birbalsingh @Miss_Snuffy]

Brave mothers like Ellen Roome whose son committed suicide at 13 following what we think was an online prank:

She has been fighting for years to protect our children from the harm of the internet.

But the corporations and politicians are too self interested.😫

[Katharine Birbalsingh @Miss_Snuffy]

This poor family. 😭

There are so many stories like this.

Don’t give your children unsupervised access to the internet!! 😫 https://t.co/ZK5jUvIFB3

[Katharine Birbalsingh @Miss_Snuffy]

Not all shiny things are good.👇😳

[Laura Trott MP @LauraTrottMP]

Young people are crying out for the government to get smartphones out the classroom. They are being exposed to horrific content during the school day.

If Bridget Phillipson doesn’t want to take it from me, she should listen to Flossie 👇

[Schlep @RealSchlep]

so predators can fake their age with ai or trick the system and then be exclusively put in lobbies with mainly children.

i am very concerned for this update

[safescreenscampaign @safe_screens]

Other products carrying potential harm to children are regulated. Why not addictive smartphones?

[Bishop’s Stortford Education @BishopEducation]

TikTok ‘directs child accounts to pornographic content within a few clicks’ | TikTok | The Guardian https://t.co/hJu2v1iEfj

[Tom Bennett OBE @tombennett71]

NEW WEBINAR! Leading a high-standards, inclusive school behaviour culture, for leaders of all levels. With me :) + Live Q&A
3rd Nov, 4:00-5:30pm
Please pass on to anyone who might find it useful
https://t.co/XEtwYFm62O

[The Marvell College @TMCHull]

Kellie Bright – Autism, School and Families on the edge documentary will be broadcasted on the BBC1 on Monday 6th October 2025 at 8:00pm.

🎥 Find out more about the documentary here: https://t.co/teHD3jdb4b 🎥
Link to our news page here: https://t.co/XXS6mUUNVg

[Alex Standish @AlexStandish9]

Very interesting. We will be discussing this question with teachers on Monday evening in Central London. Register here: https://t.co/IIbqjUishW