What actually happens when a school goes smartphone-free

Since 29 June 2026, schools in England must have regard to statutory DfE guidance that says they "should be mobile phone-free environments by default". Schools were expected to follow it from the 1st of September. Pupils shouldn't have access to their phone during lessons, between lessons, at break or at lunch. Ofsted now looks at phone policies at every inspection. Schools choose the method: pouches, lockers, handed in, or off in bags.

What the evidence says is less tidy. The SMART Schools study (Goodyear et al., Lancet Regional Health – Europe, February 2025) compared 1,227 pupils aged 12–15 across 30 English schools. It found no difference in wellbeing, sleep or attainment between restrictive and permissive schools. It did find that more time on phones and social media went with worse outcomes. Its conclusion: school rules alone don't cover the hours that matter most, which are before and after school.

That's the gap Brickify is built for: the walk in, the evening, bedtime.

Brickify can schedule the phone controls around the school day and in school hours, switching automatically between restrictions you choose as a family.