Cheshire West schools back phone-free education with lockable pouches ahead of September

96% of state high schools in Cheshire West have now either adopted or committed to introduce a phone-free school day from September, as Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dan Price's initiative continues to gain momentum.

The milestone marks another significant step towards the PCC's ambition of making every state secondary school in Cheshire phone-free, helping young people focus on learning, improving wellbeing and reducing the harms associated with excessive smartphone use.

The scheme, which directly supports Esther Ghey's national campaign for phone-free education, provides schools with access to lockable phone pouches that securely seal mobile devices throughout the school day.*

Schools across Cheshire that have already introduced phone pouches have reported significant benefits, including improvements in behaviour, concentration, social interaction and safeguarding.

In November 2025, the PCC committed £150,000 over two years to support schools adopting phone-free approaches. The initiative received a major boost from the Duke of Westminster, who pledged £250,000 towards the programme following concerns around young people's mental health and online safety.

Cheshire recently became the first in the country to launch a dedicated online buying portal. This allows schools nationwide to easily access lockable phone pouches at competitive prices and benefit from Cheshire leading the way on phone-free education.

Dan Price, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said:

"Reaching 96% of schools in Cheshire West is a fantastic achievement and shows the strength of support for phone-free education among school leaders, parents and young people themselves.

"We know smartphones can have a significant impact on concentration, behaviour, attendance and wellbeing during the school day. That's why we're working with schools to create environments where young people can focus on learning, build meaningful relationships and enjoy a break from the pressures of social media and constant notifications.

This initiative also plays an important role in helping to keep children safe by reducing exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying and other digital risks during the school day. By supporting healthier and more responsible technology use, we're helping young people to thrive both in and out of the classroom.”

Esther Ghey, Founder and Director of the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project, said:

"It’s incredible to see so many schools across Cheshire West committing to phone-free education.

"Children and young people tell us they value having time away from their phones during the school day. It gives them the opportunity to focus on learning, speak to friends face-to-face and just enjoy being present in the moment.

“I'm grateful to every school that has embraced this approach and put the wellbeing of young people first.”

The PCC continues to work with schools that are considering introducing phone pouches, providing guidance, implementation support and helping them to access the funding available.

Schools that participate also receive communications materials for parents and pupils and implementation plans and advice from schools that have already successfully introduced the scheme.

While many schools have ‘out of sight’ mobile bans, these are often ineffective or problematic to enforce.

Schools with lockable pouches are seeing immediate, widespread, positive results in wellbeing and a dramatic reduction in online safeguarding incidents; one quoting an 80% reduction in these.