Schools across Buckinghamshire are being encouraged to apply for a share of £255,000 in funding to help introduce fully phone-free school environments, following a new initiative announced by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber.
The funding, which is available to secondary schools across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes, will support schools in introducing secure storage solutions such as lockable pouches, lockers or storage boxes, allowing pupils to access their phones before and after the school day while preventing their use during lessons.
The initiative was launched today (26 June) at a Phone Free Schools event held at Aureus School in Didcot, where school leaders heard about the benefits of implementing phone-free policies.
Importantly, the funding is being provided using money recovered from criminals through the sale of seized goods that could not be returned to their rightful owners, alongside court-ordered confiscation proceeds.
Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said:
"More than half of the schools in Thames Valley that we spoke to had inadequate policies simply requiring phones to be turned off and in bags. We know this is ineffective, difficult to enforce and ultimately leads to more disruption and confrontation.
"Smartphones have clear benefits, but we’re also increasingly aware of the potential harms they can cause. Schools and the police see firsthand the safeguarding issues brought about by mobile phone use such as online conflict and bullying, peer pressure and exposure to harmful content as well as vulnerability to exploitation.
"These issues all have real world consequences for young people’s safety and wellbeing as well as impacting their behaviour and academic attainment.
"I am pleased to be investing this funding, which has been seized from criminals, back into our community. A full phone free approach in schools aligns with my priority to prevent crime and keep young people safe, while guaranteeing pupils a break from online pressures and the opportunity to learn in an environment free from distraction."
During the launch event, Kirsty Rogers, Headteacher of Aureus School, and Lotty Keys, Senior Assistant Headteacher at The Warriner School, shared their experiences of operating phone-free schools and the positive impact they have seen on both pupils and staff. Representatives from Yondr, which supplies secure mobile phone pouches, also discussed how schools can successfully introduce and manage phone-free policies.
Kirsty Rogers, Headteacher of Aureus School, said:
"At Aureus, our move to a phone-free school has been transformative for both learning and wellbeing. We have seen a notable improvement in students’ focus, engagement in lessons, and the quality of social interaction across the school day. Creating an environment free from the distractions of mobile devices enables our young people to be fully present, both academically and socially. We are therefore delighted to support this initiative and to see further investment in approaches that place students’ learning, wellbeing and personal development at the forefront."
Graham Dugoni, Founder and CEO of Yondr, added:
"Events like this demonstrate the growing momentum behind phone-free schools in the UK. School leaders are recognising that creating focused, distraction-free environments helps build a culture where pupils can truly connect with their learning and with each other.
"This new fund from Matthew Barber and the Thames Valley Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is an important and practical step in helping more schools make that change. It recognises that effective phone-free policies are not only about reducing distraction, but about supporting safeguarding, wellbeing and stronger school communities.
"We are pleased to contribute to this work and welcome the PCC’s leadership in backing schools to create healthier, safer environments for young people."
The Government already expects schools to operate as mobile phone-free environments and has recently announced plans to place this expectation on a clearer legal footing.
A recent Thames Valley Schools Survey carried out by the Police and Crime Commissioner found that 63% of responding secondary school leaders said their current policy simply required phones to be switched off and kept out of sight in pupils' bags during the school day.
The funding is available to support the introduction of phone-free policies during the 2026/27 academic year. Schools will be able to choose the solution that best meets their needs, provided it prevents pupils from accessing and using their phones throughout the school day.
Secondary schools, middle schools and all-through schools are eligible to apply. Primary schools, sixth form colleges and independent schools are not eligible.
Applications close on Sunday 26 July 2026. Full eligibility criteria and application details are available on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's website https://matthewbarber.co.uk/.
