World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Winchester College restricts laptops for classwork and homework
Winchester College, a boarding school in Hampshire, has restricted pupils’ use of laptops for schoolwork.
Its head, Elizabeth Stone, said laptops had become more distracting and could interrupt pupils’ attention.
Pupils in Years 9 and 10 must complete all homework with pen and paper.
Older pupils may use laptops only when teachers judge the technology will substantially benefit a lesson.
Stone said the school has already seen better concentration and engagement in lessons after reducing laptop use.
The move contrasts with education policy that encourages more technology in classrooms, including a £23 million scheme to expand the use of AI announced in April.
Winchester College has stopped pupils using laptops for nearly all classwork and homework, citing concerns that the devices hamper learning.
The Hampshire boarding school requires pupils in Years 9 and 10 to complete all homework with pen and paper.
Older pupils may use laptops only when there is evidence they will substantially benefit the lesson.
Head Elizabeth Stone said laptops had become more distracting and that the school had seen a spike in internet use at the start of the first lesson.
The move contrasts with education policy that encourages classroom screens to improve pupils’ technological skills.
- Who
- Winchester College, led by head Elizabeth Stone, is restricting pupils’ laptop use.
- What
- The school has stopped laptop use for nearly all classwork and homework. Younger pupils must do all homework with pen and paper.
- When
- The restrictions were reported on 12 October 2026. The sources do not state when they began.
- Where
- Winchester College, a boarding school in Hampshire, England.
- Why
- The school is concerned that laptops distract pupils and hamper learning.
Winchester College
Education policy encouraging classroom screens
Laptop use
Winchester College
The school says laptops have become more distracting and should not be the default when work can be done without technology.
Education policy encouraging classroom screens
Recent education policy encourages screens in classrooms to make pupils more technologically advanced.
There's no point just tackling the phones if we're going to say, "Here's a laptop that you have to have with you all the time"... because the vast majority of the activity that they're doing on the phone can then just shift as easily on to a tablet or a laptop.
We made it clear to teachers we do not want the laptop to be the default way of working. If it can be done in another way without the technology, you should,
They weren't simultaneously chatting to each other and sending instant messages. They didn't have access to YouTube. They weren't watching football reels,
Elizabeth Stone became Winchester College’s first female head.
Labour’s then education secretary Bridget Phillipson announced a £23 million scheme to expand the use of AI in classrooms.
The Daily Mail reported that Winchester College had restricted laptop use for classwork and homework.
- School
- Winchester College
- Location
- Hampshire, England
- Age of school
- 644 years
- Pupils’ ages
- 13 to 18
- Younger pupils
- Years 9 and 10 must complete all homework with pen and paper
- AI scheme
- £23 million announced in April by then education secretary Bridget Phillipson
Sources
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