Tech firm provides schools with lockable phone pouches ahead of ban

Tech firm L.E.A.D. IT Services has revealed it is providing thousands of lockable phone pouches to schools preparing for the Government smartphone ban in September.

The pouches from American brand Yondr are magnetic and lockable so pupils cannot use their smartphone during the day.

Education first specialist L.E.A.D. IT Services – which works with more than 270 schools and multi academy trusts around the UK on their tech needs – is seeing growing demand for the pouches from head teachers.

Department for Education guidance, which became statutory at the end of June, means schools must be smartphone free from September.

Increasing numbers of schools are opting for the pouches in response to the ban after listening to the views of parents who are keen for their children to keep their phone on them during the day in case of emergencies.

The pouches are a lockable solution, which render phones unusable.

Pupils then tap out on a magnetic fob at the end of the day so they can use their phones again after leaving school and arriving home.

Chris Edwards, partnerships development manager at L.E.A.D. IT Services, said: “We have been sourcing and supplying schools this term as they prepare for the smartphone ban ahead of the new school year in September.

“A number of schools we work with have chosen to go with the pouches as a solution to the ban.

“In preparation, we explored several different options and the product from Yondr stood out as the best and most robust.”

Founded by American entrepreneur Graham Dugoni, Yondr’s lockable pouches also help to create phone free spaces such as concert halls, so that artists and audiences can enjoy the experience in real time without distraction.

Now they are increasingly being used in schools with Yondr saying teachers are reporting a significant improvement in pupil wellbeing, engagement and results.

Under the new Department for Education guidance schools must implement a policy whereby pupils do not access their smartphone throughout the school day including during lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime.

Schools are responding in a variety of ways. Some are introducing phone pouches; some have introduced lockers while others have simply told pupils to continue storing phones in their bags, switched off.

The Government has implemented the ban to improve focus, reduce disruption and protect young people from online harms.

Lee Jepson, founder and managing director of L.E.A.D. IT Services, said: “Ofsted will be assessing phone policies as part of routine inspection. But it’s important for schools not just to rely on a written policy.

“Head teachers will need to enforce it fairly, consistently and calmly and that’s where Yondr comes in. It’s a great low-friction way of making schools phone free.”