Our behaviour policy prohibits the use of mobile phones (this includes any paired devices/smart technology) throughout the school day for all students in Years 7-11. A mobile phone is identified as a prohibited item. Sixth Form students are prohibited from using their mobile phone in front of younger students and can only use them in their study spaces. Mobile phone use amongst staff will be limited to essential use only.

To do this, we are using a system called Yondr. Yondr has been implemented in over 3,000 schools across 21 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment. We have been working with local schools who use Yondr and we’re confident that it’s the right approach for our school. The Yondr system utilises a simple, secure, lockable pouch that stores a mobile phone.

How we’re doing it

Every student in Year 7-11 will be provided with a Yondr pouch. Students will secure their phone in their Yondr pouch for the school day.

• Students lock their phone in their Yondr pouch when they arrive to school at the start of the day. This will be checked by school staff at the school gate every morning.
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• Students keep their pouch in their school bag for the school day. Students will not be able to access their phone during the school day.
• Students can only unlock their Yondr pouch at the gate when they leave school at the end of the day. School staff will be at the school gate.
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• All students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school every day and they are responsible for their pouch at all times.
• School staff will use metal scanners to ensure that students are not bringing phones in inappropriately.
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• If a student forgets their Yondr pouch, they will have to hand their phone in to a member of staff for collection at the end of the school day.
• If a mobile phone is used inappropriately then it will be confiscated, and the appropriate consequence will be issued.

Why we’re doing it

There is good data to suggest that mobile phones have a significant negative impact on young people’s mental health and well-being, their behaviour in school and at home and their academic progress. By the age of 12, 97% of children own a mobile phone. Yondr recently surveyed over 900 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These schools achieved notable progress in multiple areas:

• 65% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance.
• 74% of schools saw an improvement in student behaviour.
• 83% of schools saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom.
• 86% of schools saw a positive impact on student safety and wellness.

We are confident that the Yondr pouch system is the best approach for our school. We believe that being a phone free school has a significant positive impact on our school community and we’re confident that it has improved student well-being, improved behaviour and has a positive impact on teaching and learning.

FAQs

Do I need to pay for the Yondr pouch?

All students (Year 7-11) will be allocated a pouch (free of charge) when they return to school in September 2026.

What if the Yondr pouch gets lost or damaged?

If the pouch is lost or damaged, parents will be required to buy a replacement pouch at a cost of £20. Pouches will be available as a shop item on ParentPay.

Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school or Yondr staff.

What if I want to reach my child during the school day?

We want our students to develop responsibility and resilience. It’s important that they are engaged in their learning and in school life. Parents shouldn’t be contacting their children directly during the school day. If you need to contact your child during the school day, you can contact reception at 0151 6397531. Year teams can be e-mailed directly using the following addresses

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

What if there is an emergency?

In case of an emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency preparedness protocol. Parents will always be contacted by the school in emergencies. If you need to contact your child during the school day, you can contact Reception at 0151 6397531. If a student wants to contact home during the school day they can go to Student Services. If a student is unwell then we will contact a parent/carer.

What if my child arrives to school late or needs to leave school during the day?

If a student arrives to school late, they will lock their phone in the pouch when they sign in and this will be checked by school staff. If a student needs to leave school early (e.g. for a medical appointment) they can unlock their phone when they sign out at Reception or unlock their phone as they leave school by the school gate.

How quick is the unlocking process?

The unlocking process is quick and takes under a second per student. While students are still getting used to how to unlock pouches, staff will be on hand with mobile unlocking stations to stop queues forming in the first few weeks. If needed, we will add extra unlocking points. We will also be finishing lessons a few minutes earlier at the end of the day for the first week to allow more time for pupils to unlock before making their way home.

What happens if a student forgets to open their pouch at the end of the day?

In Yondr’s experience, this almost never happens. All students funnel past the unlocking stations at the exits, they want their phones back and don’t forget to unlock their pouches. If they do arrive home with a phone in a pouch, they can either come back to school to unlock it or enjoy a phone free evening!

Will my student’s phone be safe?

Students are in possession of their phone – in their Yondr pouch – for the entire school day. Students are expected to store the pouch in their bags where it is completely safe. This is similar to our current system and the Yondr pouch adds another layer of protection to the phone.

What if a student is caught using their phone inappropriately during the school day?

If a student is caught using their phone inappropriately, it will be confiscated, and the student will receive the appropriate consequence. (It is really important to emphasise that a mobile phone is a prohibited item. The confiscation of phones is to act as a deterrent and to ensure that students are safe. We hope that we don’t have to issue any consequences or confiscate any phones). Please note that if a phone is confiscated, an adult will need to attend the school site in order for the phone to be returned.

Are the school allowed to confiscate and keep mobile phones?

Yes. The DfE states that ‘Schools have the power to confiscate mobile phones or similar devices as a disciplinary penalty. The law protects staff from liability in any proceedings brought against them for any loss or damage to items they have confiscated as a sanction, providing they have acted lawfully’.

Headteachers are backed by the DfE to confiscate mobile phones and similar devices for the length of time they deem proportionate. Headteachers, or staff they authorise, have a statutory power to search a student or their possessions where they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the student is in possession of a prohibited item (including Mobile Phones).

We hope that we don’t need to do this and in Yondr’s experience, it is very rare that this happens because students use the pouch system correctly.

Can students be ‘searched’ or ‘screened’ for mobile phones?

Headteachers and staff they authorise have a statutory power to search a pupil or their possessions where they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the pupil may have a prohibited item.

Screening can help provide reassurance to pupils, staff and parents that the school is taking measures to create a calm, safe and supportive environment.

Schools’ statutory power to make rules on pupil behaviour and their duties as employers in relation to the safety of staff, pupils and visitors enables them to impose a requirement that pupils undergo screening.

We hope that we will not need to do this and in Yondr’s experience, it is very rare that this happens because students use the pouch system correctly.

Will any students be exempt or will special consideration be made?

There may be exceptional circumstances where we would consider making adaptations to this policy for specific pupils. Schools have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to take such steps as is reasonable. (For example, a student with Diabetes may need to use their mobile phone throughout the day to track their blood glucose levels. This would be allowed, and adaptations would be made).

What about headphones or smart watches?

Any device that links to a mobile phone should also be placed in the Yondr pouch during the school day.

What if my child needs their phone for music (e.g. for Dance)?

We have factored that into this system. These subject/faculty areas will explore other ways to ensure that students can use music without needing their phone.

What if my child needs their phone to support them in lessons (e.g for revision)?

We have factored that into this system. Subject/faculty areas will explore other ways to ensure that students can utilise any online support and resources.