Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, has today (26/6) announced £255,000 of funding to support secondary schools in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes to become mobile phone free.

Launched to school leaders at a Phone Free Schools event at the Aureus School in Didcot, the funding will be made available to make schools properly phone free during the school day. Schools can decide how to use the cash on options including secure storage such as lockable pouches, lockers or boxes, that still allow students access to their phones when travelling to and from school.

The money to support the project is being taken from criminals, funded by the sale of stolen goods that cannot be returned to their rightful owners and orders against criminals by the courts.

Matthew Barber said: “More than half of the schools in Thames Valley that we spoke to had inadequate policies simply requiring phones to be turned off and in bags. We know this is ineffective, difficult to enforce and ultimately leads to more disruption and confrontation.

“Smartphones have clear benefits, but we’re also increasingly aware of the potential harms they can cause. Schools and the police see firsthand the safeguarding issues brought about by mobile phone use such as online conflict and bullying, peer pressure and exposure to harmful content as well as vulnerability to exploitation.

“These issues all have real world consequences for young people’s safety and wellbeing as well as impacting their behaviour and academic attainment.

“I am pleased to be investing this funding, which has been seized from criminals, back into our community. A full phone free approach in schools aligns with my priority to prevent crime and keep young people safe, while guaranteeing pupils a break from online pressures and the opportunity to learn in an environment free from distraction.”

During the event, Kirsty Rogers, Headteacher of Aureus School, and Lotty Keys, Senior Assistant Headteacher at The Warriner School in Bloxham near Banbury, shared their experiences of being phone free and the benefits realised by both pupils and teachers. The event also included a contribution from Yondr, the provider of mobile phone pouches to Aureus School, on how schools are approaching phone-free policies, and what helps to ensure those policies work well in practice.

Kirsty Rogers, Headteacher of Aureus School, said: “At Aureus, our move to a phone-free school has been transformative for both learning and wellbeing. We have seen a notable improvement in students’ focus, engagement in lessons, and the quality of social interaction across the school day. Creating an environment free from the distractions of mobile devices enables our young people to be fully present, both academically and socially. We are therefore delighted to support this initiative and to see further investment in approaches that place students’ learning, wellbeing and personal development at the forefront.”

Graham Dugoni, Yondr founder and CEO said: “Events like this demonstrate the growing momentum behind phone-free schools in the UK. School leaders are recognising that creating focused, distraction-free environments helps build a culture where pupils can truly connect with their learning and with each other.

“This new fund from Matthew Barber and the Thames Valley Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is an important and practical step in helping more schools make that change. It recognises that effective phone-free policies are not only about reducing distraction, but about supporting safeguarding, wellbeing and stronger school communities.

“We are pleased to contribute to this work and welcome the PCC’s leadership in backing schools to create healthier, safer environments for young people.”

The government mandates all schools to be mobile phone free environments and recently announced plans to create a clear legal requirement.

In a recent Thames Valley Schools Survey conducted by the PCC, *63% of responses from secondary school leaders stated their current mobile phone policy was for phones to be kept off and out of sight in pupil’s bags during the school day.

The PCC funding is available for implementing phone free policies in the 2026/27 academic year. Funding will be available to schools to procure a solution to meet their needs with the requirement that it must be for policies that ensure pupils are not able to access and use their phone during the whole school day. 

Secondary schools, middle schools and all-through schools can apply but primary schools, sixth form colleges and private schools are not eligible.

Full eligibility criteria is available on the PCC website. The closing date for applications is Sunday 26 July 2026.