A National Reset on Mobile Phone Use in Schools

The Department for Education has announced strengthened national guidance on mobile phone use in schools, setting out a clear expectation that all schools should now operate phone‑free environments throughout the entire school day. This update reflects growing concerns about the impact of mobile phones on children’s learning, behaviour, and wellbeing, and aims to provide schools and families with clarity and consistency.

Why this change is being made

School leaders across the country have seen first-hand how technology can affect pupils’ focus, safety, and social interactions. While many schools already have strong policies in place, the Government has recognised that previous guidance did not go far enough in establishing a clear national position.

The strengthened guidance now states that mobile phones should not be used at any point during the school day — including lessons, transitions, breaktimes, and lunchtime. This also means phones should not be used as calculators or for research in lessons.

The aim is to remove ambiguity, support firm and confident leadership, and ensure that parents understand and back the expectations set by schools.

What this means for schools

Schools are expected to have clear, robust mobile phone policies and to apply them consistently across all classes and at all times. To support this, Ofsted will for the first time look at both a school’s mobile phone policy and how effectively it is implemented when assessing behaviour during inspections.

The Department for Education acknowledges that embedding change takes time. Attendance and Behaviour Hub lead schools, all of which already operate successful phone‑free approaches, will be available to support schools that may benefit from additional guidance. These schools have helped develop practical, evidence‑based strategies that can be adapted to different contexts.

Supporting children’s wellbeing beyond the school gates

This announcement forms part of a wider national effort to improve children’s relationship with technology and social media. The Government will soon launch a public consultation on children’s use of technology at home and in the community, inviting families, educators, and professionals to share their insights.

A shared commitment

The Department for Education emphasises that clear, fair, and consistently applied boundaries give pupils the best chance to learn, feel safe, and thrive. Schools are encouraged to feel confident in setting and enforcing these expectations, knowing they have national backing.

As a school community, we will continue to work together to ensure that technology supports our young people’s education and wellbeing - never distracts from it.

As part of our ongoing commitment to Holocaust education and remembrance, students across the school have taken part in a series of impactful learning experiences in the lead up to Holocaust Memorial Day.

On Monday 26th January, 120 students participated in a powerful online workshop delivered by the National Holocaust Museum. The session focused on the roles played by collaborators and bystanders during the Holocaust, exploring how inaction, complicity and silence enabled persecution to continue. Students engaged with authentic historical documents, listened to testimonies from Holocaust survivors and took part in thoughtful discussions to help them evaluate the moral choices faced by individuals at the time.

The educator leading the workshop expressed how impressed they were with the maturity, knowledge and thoughtful engagement shown by our students. They highlighted the quality of the questions asked and the depth of understanding demonstrated throughout the session.

On Thursday 22nd January, 30 Year 9 students had the unique opportunity to hear directly from a Holocaust survivor and their son, in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust. Students learned about life in Hungary before the Nazi occupation, the devastating impact on the survivor’s family and community, and their experiences after the war. Pupils were able to ask their own questions, gaining a deeper understanding of the personal realities behind the historical events they study.

Our commemorative work will continue throughout this week during form time, where students will reflect on themes of remembrance, resilience and responsibility. We are also looking forward to welcoming historian Tom Palmer, who will be working with students to further explore the importance of Holocaust memory.

In addition, four of our Post 16 students will represent the school as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz Programme with the Holocaust Educational Trust, travelling to Auschwitz Birkenau on 4th February. Their reflections will contribute to our whole school understanding of why remembering the Holocaust remains so vital today.

These experiences form an essential part of helping our young people understand the consequences of prejudice, discrimination and hatred and the role each of us plays in standing up against them.

Important Travel Update - Introduction of New Superloop SL11 Route

We want to make you aware of upcoming changes to local bus services that may affect your child’s journey to and from school. From Saturday 24 January 2026, Transport for London (TfL) will introduce a new Superloop route, SL11, operating between North Greenwich Bus Station and Abbey Wood Station via Woolwich town centre.

New SL11 Route

The SL11 will run a limited‑stop service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood. It will only stop at specific bus stops along the route, including:

Towards Abbeywood:

• North Greenwich Bus Station - stop A named North Greenwich Station 
• Stop MC named Millennium Village / Oval Square located on West Parkside 
• Stop MF named Millennium Leisure Park East at Greenwich Peninsula 
• Stop MA named Peninsular Park Road located on Bugsbys Way 
• Stop E at Charlton Station 
• Stop K at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station 
• Stop A at Plumstead Bus Garage 
• Stop F opposite Belmarsh Prison 
• Stop Y on Central Way named Thamesmead / Grasshaven Way 
• Stop J on Central Way named Thamesmead Town Centre / Watersmeet Place 
• Stop D named Linton Mead Primary School located on Central Way 
• Stop NG on Crossway named Thamesmead North / Eastgate Close 
• Stop SJ named Thamesmead / Carlyle Road located on Carlyle Road 
• Stop D opposite Abbey Wood Station on Harrow Manorway 
• Stop F on Gayton Road named Gayton Road / Abbey Wood Station

Towards North Greenwich Bus Station buses will only stop at the following bus stops: 

• Stop F on Gayton Road named Gayton Road / Abbey Wood Station 
• Stop C outside Abbey Wood Station on Harrow Manorway 
• Stop SK named Thamesmead / Carlyle Road located on Carlyle Road 
• Stop NC on Crossway named Thamesmead North / Manordene Road 
• Stop E named Linton Mead Primary School located on Central Way 
• Stop H on Central Way named Thamesmead Town Centre / Watersmeet Place 
• Stop X on Central Way named Thamesmead / Grasshaven Way 
• Stop G outside Belmarsh Prison 
• Stop WL named Plumstead Road / Plumstead Station located on Plumstead Road 
• Stop D at Woolwich Elizabeth Line Station 
• Stop G named Anchor & Hope Lane located on Anchor & Hope Lane 
• Stop MB named Peninsular Park Road located on Bugsbys Way 
• Stop MH named Millennium Leisure Park East at Greenwich Peninsula 
• Stop ML named Millennium Village / Oval Square located on West Parkside 
• Buses set down at stop E at North Greenwich Bus Station 

Service Frequency

• Monday–Friday: every 12 minutes before 06:30, every 6 minutes until around 21:00, then every 10 minutes
• Saturday: every 12 minutes before 07:30, every 6 minutes until around 20:00, then every 10 minutes
• Sunday: every 15 minutes before 09:30, then every 12 minutes
• First buses will depart at 04:58 from Abbey Wood and 05:00 from North Greenwich daily. Last buses will run at 00:00 (midnight) from both ends of the route.

Changes to Route 472

• As part of these changes:
• Route 472 will be withdrawn.
• The SL11 will replace the 472 only at the stops it serves.
• A new night service, N472, will operate every 30 minutes between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood, serving all current 472 stops overnight.

If Your Child Uses Route 472

Some stops previously served by the 472 will not be served by the SL11. 

These stops will continue to be served by other frequent local routes, including 161, 177, 180, 244, 301 and 380.

Families may need to plan for:

• A change of bus during the journey
• Slightly longer travel times
• Adjustments to morning or afternoon routines

Further Information

You can check updated timetables and plan journeys using the TfL Journey Planner

More details about the Superloop network are available here

WPSFB Students Shaping the Future of Thamesmead

A group of Year Ten students were recently invited to take part in a consultation workshop with Tukington Martin, the landscape architecture firm leading the redesign of parks and recreational spaces across Thamesmead and Abbey Wood.

Selected for their outstanding behaviour, enthusiasm, and impressive progress in General Certificate of Secondary Education Citizenship, the students collaborated with three professional architects to share their ideas on how local community spaces could better serve young people.

The architects were full of praise for the students’ maturity, confidence, and thoughtful contributions - so much so that they will be returning in the coming months to share their updated plans and continue working with our students as the project develops.

We are incredibly proud of how our students represented the school and the meaningful impact they are making on the future of their community.

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys at the Future of Education Summit Dubai

A few highlights from the Future of Education Summit in Dubai, hosted by SP Jain Global. Ms S. Gurney, representing Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, is attending as one of 30 senior leaders invited to join the discussions alongside colleagues from the SP Jain London School of Management.

Throughout the summit, delegates have been exploring the future of work in an AI‑driven world and examining how schools and universities can prepare students for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Ms Gurney has also been learning about SP Jain’s forward‑thinking degree programmes, designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Across our PolyMAT community, there is a shared recognition of the importance of engaging with global partners and staying at the forefront of educational innovation. Opportunities like this summit help ensure that students and staff benefit from the latest thinking, emerging technologies, and international collaboration.

Ms Gurney looks forward to strengthening connections with SP Jain London and SP Jain Global as they continue working together to shape the next generation of education.

Winter Lights at Canary Wharf 

If you are looking for something fun, free, and a bit different to brighten up the winter evenings, Winter Lights at Canary Wharf is the perfect half‑term escape. The festival is celebrating its tenth birthday this year and runs from Tuesday 20th January to Saturday 31st January, with the lights glowing from 5.00pm to 10.00pm every evening.

This year’s theme, DREAMSCAPE, feels like stepping into another world. There are sixteen incredible light installations created by artists from across the globe - glowing structures, moving displays, and immersive pieces that make you stop, take photos, and just enjoy the moment.

You can wander through colourful tunnels, explore giant illuminated sculptures, and discover interactive installations that are great fun for teenagers and adults alike. It is creative, surreal, and a brilliant way to spend an evening without spending any money.

Whether you are heading out with friends, taking a family trip, or just looking for something inspiring to do after school, Winter Lights is a fantastic way to get out, explore, and enjoy the city. And the best part is that it is completely free.