West Northamptonshire Council launches consultation on smart device usage in schools

25 November 2025

Young people, parents, carers and teachers are among those being encouraged to have their say on the use of smartphones in schools and colleges.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has launched a public consultation inviting people to give their views on the benefits and challenges that mobile phones and smart devices may bring during the school day.

For many, smart phones are a significant part of young people’s daily lives, with their use increasingly extending into schools and colleges. There is growing debate both nationally and closer to home around their usage in educational settings, as whilst such devices can be seen by some to enhance learning and communication, they can also be seen by others as a form of distraction, or prompt issues around student wellbeing and fairness in the classroom.

WNC’s consultation is seeking people’s views on these issues as it explores best practices for managing devices in educational settings, along with how it can provide further support on these issues for young people, their families, schools and colleges.

We know that the use of smartphone in schools is a subject that generates strong and varied opinions across our communities and it is really important that we listen to these voices to understand next steps.

This consultation provides an opportunity to do just this, for young people, families, teachers and the wider community to share their perspectives so that we can build a clear understanding of the benefits and challenges involved. By listening to the breadth of views across West Northamptonshire, we will be better placed to consider what guidance may be most helpful in supporting our schools and students moving forward.

Cllr Kathryn Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children's, Families and Education at West Northamptonshire Council

All responses in this consultation survey are anonymous. To take part, please complete the survey available on the Council’s consultation page here. More information, including recent literature and research on this topic, is also provided online.

The consultation will close on Sunday 4 January 2025 at 11.59pm, after which findings will be collated and reviewed.