THE majority of state secondary schools in Warrington have now either introduced or committed to introducing phone-free school days, as a campaign inspired by the tragic death of local teenager Brianna Ghey gathers momentum.
The initiative, backed by Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price, will see participating schools using lockable pouches to keep pupils’ mobile phones securely stored throughout the school day.
The latest figures show that 71% of state high schools in Warrington have now adopted or committed to the approach ahead of September.
The aim is to reduce the distraction and pressure associated with smartphones and social media, while encouraging pupils to concentrate on lessons and spend more time interacting face-to-face.
For Warrington, the campaign has particular resonance because of the tragic story of Brianna Ghey, who was murdered aged 16 in Culcheth in February 2023.
Brianna had struggled with her mental health and, unknown to her family at the time, had accessed social media sites connected with self-harm and eating disorders.
Esther Ghey, Founder of the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project
Esther has spoken publicly about the difficulty parents face in protecting children who carry internet-connected smartphones with them around the clock.
She has campaigned for greater responsibility from technology companies and for safer phones for under-16s, as well as measures to help parents identify potentially harmful online activity.
Her work has now developed into a wider campaign for phone-free education, with the Brianna Ghey Legacy Project supporting schools seeking to reduce smartphone use during the school day.
Esther said she was delighted to see so many Warrington schools embracing the approach.
“Children and young people tell us they value having time away from their phones during the school day.
“It gives them the opportunity to focus on learning, speak to friends face-to-face and just enjoy being present in the moment.”
She thanked schools for putting the wellbeing of young people first.
£150,000 funding pledge
The Cheshire PCC committed £150,000 over two years in November 2025 to support schools introducing phone-free approaches.
The initiative subsequently received a further boost when the Duke of Westminster pledged £250,000, reflecting concerns about children’s mental health and online safety.
The PCC says schools that have already introduced lockable phone pouches are reporting improvements in behaviour, concentration, social interaction and safeguarding.
One school has reported an 80% reduction in online safeguarding incidents, according to the programme.
Dan Price said reaching 71% of Warrington schools represented a “fantastic achievement”.
He said smartphones could have a significant impact on concentration, behaviour, attendance and wellbeing during the school day.
The PCC also believes removing phones from the school environment can reduce young people’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying and other digital risks.
Cheshire has also become the first area in the country to launch a dedicated online buying portal allowing schools to access lockable phone pouches at competitive prices.
The PCC’s team is continuing to work with schools considering joining the scheme, offering guidance, implementation support, communications materials for parents and pupils, and advice from schools which have already introduced phone-free policies.
For Warrington, the campaign carries an added significance. It comes from a debate about smartphones and children’s wellbeing that has been profoundly shaped by the experience of a local family – and by Esther Ghey’s determination to turn the loss of her daughter into a campaign for change.
Esther began campaigning for phone-free schools following the murder of her daughter Brianna in February 2023. Her national Phone Free Education campaign was launched in Parliament in 2025.
Dan Price subsequently launched the Cheshire-wide initiative, using his position as Police and Crime Commissioner to pursue the ambition of making all state secondary schools in Cheshire phone-free and committing £150,000 of funding towards lockable pouches.
