BRONZE Smartphone Free School Rating
We are delighted to announce that from September 2026 we will be a Bronze Rated Smartphone Free School.
This award is given to schools where smartphones are not used and are required to be switched off during the school day.
The award is given by Smartphone Free School Rating. They state:
“Bronze is a big step for many schools, and teachers report seeing benefits, such as fewer confiscations and sightings with smartphones. There is also found to be a reduction in bullying compared with more permissive policies.*”
*Find out more about the research undertaken here.
You can view our rating on the ‘Find a School’ map on the Smartphone Free Schools Rating website: https://www.smartphonefreerating.org/
Our success relies on parent partnership. Support us by ensuring your child follows our smartphone guidance.
As a reminder, we have always been completely phone free in our primary classes. Following new government guidance for schools, and under the advice of supportive organisations such as PAPAYA and Smartphone Free Childhood, we are announcing that we are encouraging all pupils to be Smartphone Free across the whole school from September 2026. This change includes any internet enabled devices (i.e. smart watches).
From September 2026:
- Smart Phones and Smart Devices (including smartwatches) are strongly discouraged: Pupils must not bring smartphones, smartwatches, or any similar non school managed internet-enabled device onto the school site during the day. Where smartphones are required for safe travel, they must be switched off and stored in bags.
- Basic Phones for Travel: Parents who provide a smartphone for safe travel are encouraged to consider a basic/”brick” non smart phone. Permitted brick phones must still be switched off and stored securely in their school bag for the entire school day. Another alternative for parents to use is an ‘air tag’ which can be stored discreetly within their child's bag.
- Exceptions: Any exception to this policy for specific medical or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) will be formally agreed in advance with the Headteacher, and linked to a written Healthcare Plan or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
A list of recommended brick phones can be viewed within the safeguarding pages of the school newsletters and included in the PAPAYA email and slides sent on 8th May.
Whilst this advice is for in school hours, parents considering a phone for their child are urged not to purchase a smartphone. If your child already has a smartphone, please consider replacing it with an alternative.
The critical mass of people supporting an initiative is 25%: if at least 25% of our families do not buy their child a smartphone, the idea of not having a smartphone becomes normalised. This makes the conversation between parents and children so much easier as we lose the ‘but everyone else has one’ dynamic from the argument.
About Us
The King’s School offers independent (private) Christian education for primary and secondary school aged children, 4-16 years, in Fair Oak, Hampshire. Our affordable fees have been recognised by The Telegraph, naming us one of the 'Best Value Private Schools in the UK', receiving a "Very Good" rating in their latest independent review (2025). Our school grounds, easily accessible to Southampton, Romsey, Winchester and the surrounding area, are nestled in a quiet location with a woodland backdrop.
Our vision is to provide quality Christian education, where pupils grow in wisdom, stature and favour with God and man. At The King’s School, pupils enjoy their learning, are encouraged to have high aspirations and to treat others with kindness and respect. Through our Christ centred curriculum, pupils are supported to become secure and happy in who God has made them to be, and to find purpose in their God-given destiny.
Rated EXCELLENT for pupils’ personal development - ISI Inspection 2023
Recognised for EXEMPLARY PUPIL BEHAVIOUR and a CULTURE OF KINDNESS - ISI Inspection 2026
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