Years 7 and 8: A Smartphone-Free School Day
From the start of the next academic year, Radnor House Sevenoaks will introduce a clarified and consistent approach to smartphone use for pupils in Years 7 and 8, with smartphones no longer permitted on the school site for these year groups.
This approach reflects the School’s ongoing commitment to creating an environment in which pupils can fully engage in learning, develop positive relationships and thrive socially, without the distractions and potential risks associated with internet-enabled devices.
Pupils in Years 7 and 8 will continue to be supported in maintaining contact with home where necessary, with non-smartphone mobile devices permitted in line with school guidelines. As with all year groups, clear expectations remain in place to ensure that the school day is calm, purposeful and focused on the opportunities available both in and beyond the classroom.
The decision has been carefully considered and aligns with the School’s wider aims around wellbeing, safeguarding and pupil development. By limiting access to smartphones at this early stage of Senior School, Radnor House ensures that pupils can establish strong habits around focus, independence and face-to-face interaction, before navigating the increased responsibilities that come with personal technology.
Alison Brennan, Head of Lower School, commented:
“We see every day how important those early years of Senior School are in helping pupils build confidence, friendships and positive routines. Creating a smartphone-free environment allows them to be fully present - in their lessons, in their conversations and in the wider life of the School.
It’s about establishing those habits early, so that pupils approach technology with maturity, confidence and clear boundaries.”
As with all aspects of school life, the School will continue to review its approach to ensure it reflects both the needs of its pupils and the values at the heart of a Radnor House education.
