Mobile Phone Pouches
From Monday 2nd November 2026, all Year 7-11 students who bring a mobile phone to school will be required to store it securely in a lockable phone pouch throughout the school day. The pouch remains with the student in their school bag but cannot be opened until they leave the school site at the end of the day.
This initiative supports our commitment to creating the best possible environment for learning, wellbeing and personal development. It is also in line with Department for Education guidance, which states that schools should be mobile phone-free environments. Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of reducing access to phones during the school day, including improved concentration, engagement, behaviour and overall wellbeing.
Mobile Phone Policy - October 2026
How Will the System Work?
Each student will be issued with a secure phone pouch. The daily routine will be:
- Students arrive at school and switch off their phone ·
- They place their phone into the pouch and lock it ·
- The pouch is kept in their school bag throughout the day ·
- Phones remain inaccessible during lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime ·
- Students unlock the pouch at designated unlocking stations when leaving school at the end of the day
Unlocking Pouches
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 and support students getting on buses in the first few weeks. If a student stays after school for a club, intervention or enrichment activity, they will unlock their pouch when they leave at the end of that session. Students who leave the site during the school day for authorised reasons will be able to access an unlocking station via Southsite Reception.
What happens if a student forgets to open their pouch at the end of the day?
This almost never happens as all students funnel past the unlocking stations at the exit, however, if they do arrive home with a phone in a pouch, they can either come back to school to unlock it as we will have an unlocking station at the entrance to each site or have a phone free evening!
Exceptions & Support
Medical adaptations will be made available, and Heads of Year will liaise with parents / carers if this is needed.
Students Who Do Not Bring Phones to School
Students who do not own or bring a mobile phone to school will not be required to purchase a pouch, but parents will be able to complete a declaration form to confirm they will not bring a phone to school.
Declaration forms can be found here : Declaration Form
Contact with Students and Home
Should there ever be a need to contact your child, this can continue to be done through school Reception. Similarly, students who need to contact home can do so through student services.
Breaches
Where expectations are not met, sanctions will apply. Phones will be confiscated and may be kept for up to a week. Parents will not be allowed to collect them during this time. Full details of the behaviour procedures will be published alongside the updated Mobile Phone Policy on school website.
What if a Pouch is Damaged or Lost
A replacement pouch must be purchased from WisePay and the Head of Year must be informed so that students can borrow a temporary pouch until the new one is ready. Intentional or repeated damage will result in a sanction.