ST0013

Written evidence submitted by John Hanson Community School

Mobile Phone use in schools

In September 2023 we introduced YONDR phone pouches in to the school as a way of limiting student phone use, whilst allowing them the contact they need with parents/carers before/after school.

This has allowed us to retain the facility to unlock the pouches if phones are needed and would benefit the learning of students in a specific lesson.

Students lock their phones in a pouch at morning registration and unlock them themselves at station outside the school gates at the end of the day.

We no longer of the distraction of phones in the classroom or students late for lessons as they cannot use phones between lessons.

We no longer have parents turning up at school unannounced to collect their child

We no longer have any in school cyber bullying

We now have students sitting and talking to each other at break and lunchtime.

This introduction has been fully supported by governors and the local community.

The only downside is the cost. For our school of just over 1000 students the 1st year cost was £13,000 with an £8,000 cost each year after this.

If the government is serious about banning phones in schools they need to fund it.

October 2023