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Cheshire is poised to become the first county in the UK to introduce phone-free education across all mainstream state high schools after the Duke of Westminster pledged a personal donation of £250,000 to fund lockable phone pouches.
The contribution will accelerate a campaign launched by Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dan Price, who last year set out an ambition to remove mobile phones from the school day. With more than half of the county’s 71 secondary schools already signed up, the additional funding is expected to drive adoption close to 100% within the next year.
From pilot schemes to county-wide change
In 2025 only nine Cheshire high schools were using lockable pouches, with most relying on “out of sight” policies that ask pupils to keep devices in bags or pockets. While well-intentioned, those approaches have proved difficult to enforce.
After visiting schools where pouches were already in place, the PCC offered £150,000 from proceeds of crime to help cover costs for students on free school meals. Schools were asked to fund the remainder themselves.
Two months later, 37 schools had taken up the offer and begun planning roll-outs. The Duke’s donation now lowers the financial hurdle for all participating schools, including those already committed.
Inspired by wellbeing concerns and a national campaign
The Duke said his decision was driven by growing evidence around the impact of smartphones on young people’s mental health and safety. He recently visited Birchwood Community High School in Warrington – one of the first to adopt the system and the school attended by Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender girl who was murdered in 2023 – to hear directly from staff and pupils.
His support has also been shaped by the campaigning of Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, who launched a national Phone Free Education campaign in Parliament last October. Ghey has argued that removing phones from the school day can reduce online harm while improving behaviour, attendance and academic outcomes.
“This is something I feel strongly about, both personally and because the evidence is now clear,” the Duke said. “When you speak to young people, parents and teachers and look at the data from schools using lockable phone pouches, the benefits are undeniable. We’re seeing real, measurable improvements in wellbeing, focus and crucially, safety.
“It isn’t just about avoiding harmful content. It’s also about giving young people a break from constant notifications and the anxiety that comes with always being contactable during the school day.”
He added that his work through the Westminster Foundation had shown how “practical, evidence-based interventions can make a lasting difference”, and said he hoped Cheshire could become a model for the rest of the country.
Evidence from early adopters
Schools already using pouches report sharp reductions in online safeguarding incidents, with one citing an 81% fall. Birchwood Community High School has recorded its best ever GCSE results since introducing the policy, while attainment for disadvantaged pupils rose from 24.7 to 40.1. Persistent absence dropped by 8.1% and exclusions fell to zero.
PCC Price said the Duke’s backing would extend those benefits across the county. “More young people in Cheshire will grow up with less online bullying, less access to potentially harmful or violent content, less distractions and less exclusions,” he said. “With the Duke’s help, Cheshire is leading the way on this campaign.”
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