Question
I am proud to say that we are ahead of the game in Tunbridge Wells. When the Government failed to pass the legislation originally, its secondary schools got together, agreed a shared policy and implemented it. The policy was to have no smartphones on the school grounds, which therefore means pupils will not be taking smartphones on buses either. Dumbphones can be carried for the purposes of safety if necessary, but they have to be switched off during the school day. That was rolled out this September, the feedback is good and it seems very successful. Have the Government considered this as an option?
Answer
We are aware of that option being available to schools, and I know of some schools that have taken that approach. Part of the reason why we are making this announcement this week, with sufficient time ahead of implementation of updated guidance for September next year, is to extract the best learning from existing practice in the school system, including the school referenced by the hon. Member. We want to make sure that the way in which this is described allows for the best existing practice that has been developed, including the use of what are sometimes called dumbphones.
Verdict: AMBER (70/100)
The reply directly acknowledges the option of a shared school policy and says updated guidance will be announced this week for implementation next September, drawing on schools already using this approach. It gives a concrete timetable, so the core question of whether the option has been considered is answered. It does not specifically address school buses, which is a gap a follow-up might raise.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Government has considered secondary schools agreeing and implementing a shared policy banning smartphones on school grounds, including on school buses, as an option. | Addressed | Direct | The reply directly acknowledges the shared-school-policy option ('aware of that option being available', 'some schools that have taken that approach') and ties it to a concrete action: updated guidance being announced this week for implementation next September, drawing on existing practice including the school referenced. It does not explicitly mention school buses, which is a minor gap, but the core question of whether the option has been considered is answered. |