On October 2nd, England’s Department of Education announced it will back all head teachers who ban smartphone use in schools, even during break times. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2019-20 school year, 77% of public schools in the U.S. said they did not allow phone use during school hours, yet many schools still struggle to enforce such policies. What can educators do to ensure distraction-free environments where students can focus on learning?

Naomi and Ian are back after a few months’ hiatus and joined by Katharine Birbalsingh, founder and head teacher of Michael Community School, a free school established in 2014 in Wembley Park, London. Katharine explains Michaela’s “if we see it, if we hear it, we take it” policy on phone use in school, along with the remarkable results she has seen in student performance and behavior during the school day. Consistency in messaging and enforcement, she explains, is the key to creating a culture where teachers, parents, and even students, are in support of a phone-free environment.

Beyond just banning phones, Michaela seeks to instill in students the principles of personal responsibility, self-discipline, and resilience. Katharine outlines how she applies these principles to specific issues like assigning homework, encouraging all students to see themselves as “British,” not just members of a particular racial or ethnic group, and teaching children “knowledge” over “skills.”

Resources

Finally, We’re All Wising up About the Dangers of Screen Time for Kids – Naomi Schaefer Riley, The Los Angeles Times

The Power of Culture: The Michaela Way – book by Katharine Birbalsingh

Katharine Birbalsingh on Michaela – The Report Card with Nat Malkus

Show Notes

0:00:50 – What is Michaela’s approach to devices in school?

0:06:47 – How do you gain consistency among your team regarding phone use?

0:15:14 – How replicable are Michaela’s policies, and is anyone attempting to replicate them?

0:19:31 – How does a free school in England compare to a charter school in America?

0:24:42 – is the success of the Michaela model garnering attention from policymakers and leaders in education?

0:28:04 – how does E.D. Hirsch’s book, The Making of Americans, influence your educational philosophy and practice at Michaela?