A school in Cumbria has become the latest in the country to ban mobile phone usage for students.

The new policy at Settlebeck School in Sedbergh will see pupils hand in their devices at the start of the day before collecting them on their way home.

This comes in the wake of the Ormiston Academies Trust implementing a similar ban for its 35,000 students across the country.

A spokesperson from Settlebeck School said: "The decision to limit mobile phone use came about after ongoing issues with phones in school, despite a clear school policy.

"It was evident that, despite regular reminders, students were still using their phones in ways that disrupted lessons and impacted their well-being."

The school reflected on research from the Department of Education that outlined that widespread mobile phone usage in schools contributes to online bullying and negatively impacts students' contributions in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.

Earlier this month, Windermere School announced that its pupils would have to 'lock away' their phones in pouches that can only be unsealed by teachers.

"We also understand that many students rely on their phones for travel and safety reasons," the Settlebeck spokesperson added. 

"Therefore, a complete ban on phones would not be practical - instead, we opted for a middle ground, with students handing in their phones at the start of the day and collecting them at the end.

"This solution ensures they still have access to their devices when needed but prevents them from being a distraction during school hours."

The school believes that the decision can have 'numerous' benefits going forward.

"By removing the temptation of phones, students can better engage with their learning and peers," the spokesperson added.

"Without the interruptions and distractions that phones often bring, lessons can run more smoothly, and students can feel safer without the pressures of social media during the day.

"Similar policies in other schools have shown positive results, with students feeling more focused and less stressed - we believe this will contribute to a more productive, safe, and happy learning environment for all."