Blog · Schools
Bell-to-Bell School Phone Policy Template
A bell-to-bell phone policy says students' phones and smart devices are switched off and stored from the first bell to the last, including breaks and lunch, with set exemptions for medical, disability and approved learning needs. The template below covers scope, storage, exemptions, emergencies and consequences.
1. PURPOSE. [School/district] aims to protect learning time, student wellbeing, privacy and safety by keeping personal devices out of the school day. 2. SCOPE. This policy applies to all students on school premises and on school trips during school hours, from [first bell time] to [last bell time], including breaks, lunch and passing periods. Personal devices include mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds and any device that can record, message or connect to the internet. 3. LEGAL BASIS. This policy meets [name of national, state or provincial law or order, if any].
4. STORAGE. On arrival, students switch devices off and [place them in a lockable pouch which they keep with them and which is opened only at the end of the day / place them in an assigned locker / hand them in at [location]]. The school is [not] responsible for devices kept by students. 5. EXEMPTIONS. The principal may grant a written exemption for: a documented medical need; a disability or learning plan that requires a device; language or translation needs; and specific learning activities approved by a teacher. Exemptions are recorded and reviewed each year.
6. EMERGENCIES AND CONTACT. Parents contact students through the school office at [number]. In a school emergency, students follow staff instructions under the school safety plan, and the school communicates with families through [channel]. 7. STAFF. Staff model the policy by not using personal phones in front of students except for school business. 8. CONSEQUENCES. First breach: device held at the office until the end of the day. Second: parent collects device. Repeated: meeting with parents and a support plan. Consequences are applied consistently to every student.
9. COMMUNICATION. The policy is shared with families before it starts, published on the school website and explained to students in the first week. 10. REVIEW. The policy is reviewed after one term and then each year, using behaviour data, staff time and student, staff and parent feedback. Approved by [board] on [date]. This template is a starting point, not legal advice; check it against your local law and board procedures. Before The Internet sells lockable pouches outright if you choose the pouch option in section 4.
Frequently asked questions
What should a school phone policy include?
Scope and hours, what counts as a device, how phones are stored, exemptions, emergency contact, staff expectations, consequences and a review date.
Does bell-to-bell include lunch and breaks?
Yes. Bell-to-bell means from the first bell to the last, including lunch, breaks and passing periods. Lessons-only rules are a different model.
Is this policy template legal advice?
No. It is a starting point. Check it against the law that applies to you and your board's policy procedures.
Related reading
Phone-free schools toolkit · Board memo template: school phone policy · Parent letter template: school phone policy · School phone bans by country
Written by the team at Before The Internet, a Toronto-based phone-free company that rents lockable phone pouches for events across North America and sells them to schools and venues worldwide, shipping purchases to any country.
Planning a phone-free school?
Buying for next term or next year? Send your student numbers and target start date. A person replies within 24 hours with a real figure for your budget, and we ship worldwide.
Name
Work email
Phone
Event date
Headcount
Not sure what you need yet?
Keep reading
Trade shows and launches
Phone-free concerts and festivals