We are a phone-free school with Yondr
About the programme
- “Yondr’s Phone-Free Program and lockable pouch system allows schools to create focused, phone-free environments for students—without taking phones away.” https://www.overyondr.com/
- Upon arrival to school, students will be required to turn off their mobile phones and place them in a Yondr pouch and lock it.
- This pouch will need to be kept in the students bag throughout the school day.
- The purpose of this programme ensures improved safety, class engagement and reduction in behavioural sanctions.
- Students will be responsible for bringing their pouch to and from school.
Please see the FAQ list below to find out more.
FAQS
Morning and Afternoon Procedures
How quick is the unlocking process?
The unlocking process is quick and simple and takes only seconds to do. While students are getting used to unlocking pouches in September, staff will be on hand with mobile unlocking stations to stop queues forming. Additional unlocking stations will be added if required.
What if my child arrives late or needs to be dismissed early?
Secondary reception will have an unlocking device for students arriving late or leaving early. Students attending fixtures and trips off site should unlock their pouches before leaving school.
Will my child’s phone be safe?
Students are in possession of their phones – in their Yondr pouches – for the entire school day. We advise students to store the pouch safely in their bags. While the Yondr pouch will provide some protection, it’s not a protective case, so students should continue to handle their phones carefully.
The pouch should not be used as a replacement for a protective case and/or screen protector.
What happens if a student forgets to open their pouch at the end of the day?
In Yondr’s experience, this rarely happens. All students leave past the unlocking stations at the student exit and typically want their phones back. If a student arrives home with their phone still in the pouch, they can either return to school to unlock it prior to 4pm or enjoy a phone-free evening.
What happens if a student forgets to bring in their pouch?
The student’s phone will be collected and securely stored in secondary reception until the end of the day. Parents/carers will be contacted and reminded of the procedures. If the pouch is repeatedly forgotten, it will be treated as lost and a replacement fee of £17 (correct at time of publishing) will be charged. We suggest students keep pouches in their school bags, and they remain locked when they are not in use.
Daily Pouch Use
What if my child needs their phone for medical reasons?
We have an alternative solution for the small number of students who require their phones for medical reasons (e.g. diabetes and medical shunts). We will be in touch with these families if they have informed us of their child’s medical condition to discuss how this will work.
My child currently doesn’t bring a phone to school, how will this work for them?
Please send an email to [email protected] and we will advise on next steps.
What happens if a phone is seen outside of a pouch?
If a student is found in possession of a phone outside their pouch on the school site the phone will be confiscated and returned at 3.45pm, following a 30-minute after school detention for breaching our mobile phone procedure.
Bag searches and screening with metal detecting wands may be conducted if staff have concerns that a student has a mobile device on them that hasn’t been secured into their pouch.
What if the Yondr pouch gets damaged?
Any attempt to tamper with the Yondr system, including use or possession of high-strength magnets will be treated as a serious offence, resulting in a replacement fee of £17 (correct at the time of publication), and confiscation of the device until a parent/carer collects it.
If accidental damage occurs, students must report it immediately. If damage is discovered during checks and has not been reported, it may be considered intentional. Students should lock their pouch when they leave school to avoid any accidental damage.
We will be conducting random pouch checks during the academic year to assess the condition of the pouches.
Emergencies
How can I contact my child during the school day?
We are aware that there may be occasions when parents/carers need to contact their children during the school day, to confirm plans for picking up siblings at the end of the school day for example. As is our current policy, if you need to reach your child during the school day, please contact secondary
reception on 01889 743800 and a message will be passed on to your child.
What if there is a school emergency?
n an emergency, the priority is for students to follow school safety procedures under staff guidance.
Students are not allowed to use their phones during a school emergency as unauthorised phone use may:
• Delay emergency responses
• Spread misinformation
• Put students and staff at increased risk
• Disrupt coordinated safeguarding efforts
Emergency communications will always be managed through the school.