In an era dominated by screens and notifications, one primary school in Kendal has started a bold new initiative designed to 'put childhood back in the hands of children - and not their devices'.

St Mark's CofE Primary School in Natland, Kendal has introduced a 'Parent Pact', an agreement that encourages families to delay buying their children smartphones until they leave the school.

Remarkably, 81% of parents have gone a step further, pledging not to buy smartphones for their children until they turn 14.

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The Parent Pact was launched after a consultation involving parents, teachers, and mental health experts.

It aims to protect children from the social and developmental challenges often linked to early smartphone use - with studies linking excessive screen time to anxiety, sleep disruption, and reduced academic focus.

St Mark's said it saw an opportunity to lead by example.

Headteacher Louise Hinton: "We want to foster an environment where children can enjoy being children—building friendships, exploring creativity, and developing social skills without the distractions of smartphones.

"This pact is about creating a culture of support among families, so no child feels left out."

The school say one common concern among parents is how to balance the need to delay smartphones with the growing independence that older children require.

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As children enter their final years at primary school, they often have more freedom - walking to school, attending after-school activities, or spending time with friends.

Its adds that parents naturally want to ensure their children can contact them in an emergency or let them know their whereabouts.

The school has therefore advocated for the use of 'dumb phones' -basic mobile phones that allow calls and texts but lack internet access, social media, or games.

"If all parents chose to buy a dumb phone, it would take away a lot of the worry,” said Phillipa Burns, a parent of two children at the school.

The pact’s success hinges on collective commitment, and so far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Of the school’s families, 81% have signed up to delay smartphones until their child is at least 14, far surpassing initial expectations.

Parent Sarah Dawson, whose daughter is in year 3, added: "We were worried about being the odd ones out if we didn’t get our daughter a phone.

“But with so many other parents on board, it feels like we’re all in this together. It’s such a relief not to have that pressure."

The school acknowledges that delaying smartphones isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

However, by promoting alternatives like dumb phones and fostering a united community approach, St Mark’s hopes to make it easier for families to prioritize their children's well-being.

Louise Hinton, Headteacher added: "This isn’t about banning technology—it’s about using it wisely and empowering children to become responsible users at the right time, and most importantly, it’s about letting kids be kids for just a little longer."