TWO secondary schools in York and two in North Yorkshire are becoming 'mobile phone free zones' for pupils.
Heartwood Learning Trust, formerly Hope Sentamu Learning Trust, whose schools include Manor CE in Poppleton and Vale of York in Clifton has announced it is making all six of its secondary schools 'completely phone-free'.
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The other schools involved are Barlby High School and Graham School and George Pindar School in Scarborough as well as Liberty Academy in Hull.
The trust says students will store their phones in secure Yondr pouches during the school day, helping them focus on learning, build stronger connections, and reduce distractions.
Helen Winn, chief executive officer at Heartwood, said: "We’ve seen how powerful it can be when students are free from digital distractions, and we’re excited to introduce a phone-free environment to all six of our secondary schools.
"Our students will benefit from the space to think deeply, focus fully on their learning, and connect genuinely with each other and school staff, without the constant distraction of phones. It will also allow our school staff to do what they do best - teaching and supporting students, safe in the knowledge that everyone can engage fully throughout the day.
“Yondr has been an important partner in preparing us for this transformation and their ongoing support will help ensure the success of our phone-free schools in the longer term. The team worked closely with our staff to make sure the transition is smooth, positive, and fully supported across every school in the Trust. We’re really looking forward to getting up and running, seeing our students using their Yondr pouches and realising the benefits for everyone over the weeks and months ahead.
"This initiative aligns with Heartwood Learning Trust’s broader commitment to creating learning environments where students thrive. By developing a phone-free school community, the Trust aims to help students develop balanced approaches to technology use in their lives while reducing stress and anxiety linked to constant connectivity online."
She said that as part of Yondr’s pouch and programme approach, each student will be assigned their own Yondr pouch to use throughout the school year.
Phones and other digital devices are stored securely in these lockable pouches during school hours.
Ms Winn said students keep their pouches in their bag or locker throughout the day and unlock them at the end of the school day to retrieve their devices.
The process of locking and unlocking pouches is quick, simple, and supervised by staff at the start and end of the school day, and becomes a new part of the daily routine.
She said that Yondr’s phone-free approach has demonstrated measurable benefits in surveys they have conducted across Yondr schools worldwide:
- 86 per cent of school leaders report improved safety and student wellbeing
- 84 per cent report increased engagement in class
- 44 per cent report reduced behavioural sanctions
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