A school in Frome has implemented a ‘no phone’ policy following government guidance to restrict the use of mobile phones in school.
All students at Frome College in Years 9 to 11 have been given lockable Yondr pouches to place their phones, smartwatches and earbuds into at the start of each school day.
Pouches will be unlocked at the end of each day by being placed against a specially designed magnet. There are over 40 unlocking sites around the college campus.
Principal Emma Reynolds said, “We had been planning a mobile-free campus strategy from last autumn, pre-empting the government’s guidelines released in April, which recommend that all schools restrict the use of mobile phones and smart devices throughout the day. The Department for Education has been consistently clear that mobile phones have no place in school and pending legislation has meant that Frome College has decided to implement a pouch system to support students.”
After the launch of ‘pouch day’ on 23rd June, staff at Frome College said they were impressed with how students responded.
Ms Reynolds said, “Students were calm throughout the day and we were delighted to see them chatting and laughing together. There were very few issues and we are proud of how responsible the students were. Interruptions from mobile devices throughout the day are detrimental to students’ learning and wellbeing and we are looking forward to the positive impact this will have.”
During the first unlocking on 23rd June, the college reported students were eager to check their phones but many claimed not to have really noticed much difference and that it was much better than they thought it would be.
The no phone policy will continue for all students in the lower school, including those transitioning from middle schools in September.
Pictured: A Frome College student with the new Yondr pouch
