School sees boost in grades after cell phone ban

By Isobel Williams

A school where pupils are banned from using their mobile phones has reported impressive A-level results - with nearly 50 percent of grades A or A*.

Sixth form students at Excelsior Academy in Hackney, east London, are not allowed to use their phones at all while on school property.

Headteacher Omar Deria, 45, implemented the rule in September 2024, as well as requiring pupils to wear business attire - and is now reaping the rewards.

The school was among the most improved in the country last year after average A-Level grades went up from C to B.

This year it says almost half of its grades were A or A* - and around 50 percent of pupils have been accepted into top Russell Group universities.

Deputy headteacher Shahfah Begum said today (Thurs): “The mobile phone ban has had an incredible impact on the results at this school.

“Students are more engaged both inside and outside of the classroom. They were less distracted so therefore concentrated on their studies.

“They were more friendly and chatty with staff and each other which made a huge difference to the atmosphere around the school."

The teachers say this achievement is made even more impressive given the school serves one of the poorest areas in the country- with nearly two thirds of students eligible for free school meals.

Deputy head Ms Begum added: “We do not believe background should be a barrier for success, every student at this school is given the platform to succeed.

“It is incredibly important to raise aspirations and show our students they can aspire top the very best universities in the country.”

Yamkeekha Begum, 18, from Hackney, achieved As in psychology and biology and a C in chemistry.

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As a result, she will now be heading to King's College London to study Biomedical Science.

She said: “The mobile phone ban at the school ensured I did not get too distracted and really helped me stay on track with my studies.

“There are so many distractions on your phone like social media and so coming off it for a few hours really helped me.

"The school has been so supportive. When I needed support with my studies they provided interventions.

“I really feel like they helped me get through when times were tough with revisions and classes.”

Speaking earlier this year, headteacher Mr Deria saidthat his first impression of the school when he joined in 2022 was students absorbed by their phones.

Since the ban was brought in, the head claims his students have been friendlier and revising more.

He said: “When I first started the place was overrun with mobile phones. On my first day the first thing that I noticed was students glued to their phones scrolling.

“If I am honest, it was a struggle at first. It is the most important thing in their lives and they struggle when it is taken.

“They may not be happy in the moment, but on results day they thank us.

“The impact in the classroom has been nothing short of miraculous. You are dealing with completely different people, their personalities are different.

“They are more articulate, chattier, nicer, more engaged not just with the learning but with other people in general.”

If a student is caught with their phone out during school time, then it will be taken and locked in a safe, with the parents not able to collect it until the next Thursday.

This means that if a student’s phone is confiscated on a Thursday then they must wait an entire week to collect it again.