A Simple Step for Safety: Cheshire Leads With Ambitious Plan for Safer, More Focused Classrooms.

Cheshire Schools Pioneer Phone-Free Days With £150k Lockable Pouch Scheme Backed by PCC Dan Price.

Cheshire is set to become the first county in the UK where every state high school requires students to lock away their mobile phones during the school day, thanks to a new initiative led by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dan Price.

The scheme – launched with a high-profile event at Jodrell Bank – will see up to £150,000 invested over two years to fund lockable phone pouches, aiming to support schools in improving student wellbeing, safety and classroom focus.​

Key Details: The Initiative

Dan Price’s ambition is for all state high schools across Cheshire to become truly phone-free learning environments by 2026.

Only nine Cheshire schools have already adopted the lockable pouches, but those that have introduced them are already seeing significant, positive impacts, with one school reporting an 80% drop in online safeguarding incidents and another noting a fivefold increase in library use.​

The estimated cost of the scheme is £8.75 per pupil, which could be reduced through county-wide procurement.

The funding will be prioritised for schools with a higher proportion of students on free school meals and the initiative will be supported by matched public and philanthropic funds wherever possible.

Participating schools will also receive a package of support, including parent and pupil materials and expertise from early adopters.​

The Launch and Community Voices

The launch event took place at Jodrell Bank, underlining the county’s commitment to pioneering student safety and wellbeing.

Esther Ghey, campaigner and mother of murdered Warrington teenager Brianna Ghey, was a key figure at the event.

Esther, who started the national Phone Free Education campaign, has not only supported the initiative but has also written to the government, calling for a statutory ban on mobile phone use in schools.

Her campaign is now backed by several high-profile figures.​

Esther Ghey praised the Cheshire initiative as a simple step towards creating safer and more focused classrooms, encouraging other areas to follow Dan Price’s lead.

She cited improvements in pupils’ wellbeing and safety at schools already using the pouches.

Why Now? 

This initiative is a response to the growing concerns about online bullying, digital distraction and the harmful effects of social media on mental health, as highlighted by Esther Ghey’s own experience following her daughter’s tragic death.

The scheme has been welcomed by school leaders’ groups, safeguarding professionals and campaigners as a vital intervention—with early data showing it can dramatically reduce online safeguarding issues and increase engagement in enrichment activities.​

Dan Price has made it clear that this approach aims to address issues that ‘out of sight’ bans or inconsistent school policies haven’t fully tackled.

Next Steps

The ambition is for every state high school in Cheshire to be using lockable pouches – and to be phone-free by 2026.

As the first county to take this step, Cheshire hopes its example will set a new national standard for pupil wellbeing and digital safety.

Schools interested in joining the scheme are encouraged to contact the Commissioner’s Office for more information and support.

Header Image Credit: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner