More than 35,000 students nationwide will be banned from using their phones during the school day

More than 35,000 pupils will be banned from using their mobile phones during the school day as an academy warns the devices are having a “catastrophic” impact on children’s learning.

Ormiston Academies Trust, one of the largest schools chains in England, which owns 44 state schools, including 32 secondary schools, has announced that it will withdraw smartphone access from all its schools across the country.

Tenbury High Academy in Worcestershire was the first school in Ormiston to go completely phone-free, with pupils having to hand in their phones as soon as they arrive at school.

Eight more secondary schools in the programme are testing different solutions to prevent children from accessing their phones during the day, and similar pilots are expected to be rolled out to more schools soon.

The decision comes amid concerns about young people’s mental health, including the risk of self-harm and suicide, following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seen almost all social interactions move online.

More than 35,000 students will be banned from using mobile phones during the school day (stock photo)

Ormiston Academies Trust has announced it is phasing out smartphone access in all its schools nationwide (stock photo)

Tom Rees, chief executive of Ormiston, told The Guardian the charity “sees a clear correlation” between mental health problems and the use of social media and phones – which is also making it harder for children to get an education.

He said, “Learning can’t happen without attention. A lot of it is about the battle for attention, the battle for focus and concentration. It’s not just about taking out your phone and using it, it’s about the presence of your phone.

“There is evidence to tell us that even if your phone is in the same room, it might be in your bag or pocket, your brain is still thinking about it and is interested in it, wondering if it has received a notification and what it might be.

“It affects young people’s ability to learn, to remember information, to concentrate, to focus. Increasingly distracted attention is disastrous for the learning process, and this is true both at school and at home.”

An Ormiston spokesman said the ban would be phased in, adding: “We want schools to make changes at their own pace – they are in the best position to make decisions as they know them best. We also want them to consult with parent and pupil communities.”