Mobile phones could soon be locked away at every high school in Cheshire

Move to introduce lockable phone pouches at every state high school in the county backed by mum of murdered Brianna Ghey

Mobile phones could soon be locked away during the day in every state high school in Cheshire - a move that is being backed by the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey. The new initiative is being led by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dan Price who wants Cheshire to be the first county in the UK where all state high schools have lockable phone pouches.

And he’s backing it with a funding plan of up to £150,000. Only nine of the county’s mainstream high schools have introduced lockable phone pouches. While many schools have ‘out of sight’ mobile bans, these can be ineffective or difficult to enforce.

According to the Cheshire PCC, schools with lockable pouches are seeing immediate, widespread, positive results in wellbeing and a dramatic reduction in online safeguarding incidents - one quoting an 80 per cent reduction in these.

In October, Esther Ghey - whose daughter Brianna was murdered in 2023 - launched a national Phone Free Education campaign in parliament. Dan Price believes Cheshire can lead in this space by being the first county in the UK to make it happen.

He said: “From a crime prevention perspective, this is an absolute no-brainer. Less online bullying, less access to potentially harmful or violent content, less distractions, less exclusions. In Cheshire of all places, we know the impact this can have. That’s why we must make this happen here."

Esther added: “I urge every school in Cheshire to take advantage of this amazing initiative. Dan Price is absolutely leading the way, showing real commitment to improving young people’s wellbeing and safety. Lockable phone pouches are a simple step towards creating safer and more focused classrooms. I truly hope other Police and Crime Commissioners across the country follow his lead.”

Today, the Cheshire PCC has launched plans to set aside up to £150,000 over two years to support schools in the county to adopt phone pouches. This will target funding to those in receipt of free school meals, if their schools can find a way to fund the remaining amount.

This will not cover all of the funding they need. Matched funding from other public and philanthropic funds could further accelerate this plan to make sure all state high schools operate an effective phone-free solution by 2026.

Responding to the new scheme, head of policy at school leaders’ union NAHT, Sarah Hannafin, said: “NAHT supports a ban on the use of mobile phones during the school day by pupils and we therefore welcome this initiative. While phones and the online world clearly offer benefits, there is a time and place for their use.

"As well as the safety issues which can arise, they can be an unhelpful distraction during the school day. Many schools already have restrictions on phones, but it is really positive that this scheme recognises that financial support is often needed to help ensure these are truly effective."

Ms Ghey launched a campaign in September for a statutory ban that would see pupils unable to access phones for the entire school day. She told the PA News Agency at the time a statutory ban “would have really helped Brianna”.

The school Brianna attended: Birchwood Community High School in Warrington, introduced pouches to lock phones in on arrival at school last year, which students then carry around with them.

NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here