Phone Free School

SRWA is now a phone free school

Students are now using lockable phone pouches (Yondr pouches) every day to lock their phones during the school day when they are on the academy site. This webpage is designed to give parents and students all the information they need to successfully be a part of our phone free community.

The expectations
If a student wishes to bring a phone to school, they must use a lockable (Yondr) pouch to store their phone during the school day.

For students that do not own phones, or for those that wish to leave the phone at home. they may request to be exempt from having a phone pouch.

How to get a phone pouch?
Buying a pouch is very easy. Simply follow the link and make a payment on the Parentpay website. We expect to deliver pouches to students (during their morning registration period) 24 to 48 hours after payment has been made.

If you wish to be exempt from the phone pouch scheme we need parents to let us know. Please use this link to let us know you wish to be exempt from using a pouch. Please note that if a student requests exemption, they must never have a phone in their possession at any time on the school site.

The daily routine
Students will arrive at the academy site and immediately unlock their pouch using the unlocking stations outside the building.

• They will place their phone device in the lockable pouch and secure locket before entering the building.
• Every morning, the tutor will complete a ready to learn check. This is to make sure the students help all the equipment they need for the day. (timetable, pencil case, phone pouch)
• The student carries their mobile phone in its locked pouch with them throughout the day
• At the end of the school day, as they leave the academy site students unlock their pouch and retrieve their phone. They are advised to lock the pouch once empty to minimise risk of damage.

What happens if a students has a phone on them?
We will confiscate any prohibited items for at least 24 hours. Students will be able to collect their phone from student reception at the end of the next school day. (or 4pm on Friday).

Damage to pouches
Unfortunately, and as with all things, damage can occur to mobile phone pouches. The manufacturer is very good and will replace faulty pouches that have become damaged.
However, Yondr will not replace pouches that have become damaged through improper or careless use.
Below are examples of pouch damage for which the pouch will not be replaced.

• Excessive force being used to open the pouch. A firm tap on the magnets should be enough. The mechanism can also be released by pressing the lock button.
• Attempting to force open the lock mechanism to retrieve the phone. This will damage the locking mechanism of the pouch which will render it unusable.
• Bending the pin. The small pin that locks the mechanism needs to be kept intact. We recommend students lock the pouch when it’s not being used to (and when the pin is exposed) to eliminate the risk.
• Any attempt attempts to cut, slice or break apart the fabric of the pouch.

Support (including access to unlocking stations out of hours)
The academy reception line is staffed from 8am until approximately 4 pm. Please direct general enquiries here or via enquiries@srwa.co.uk. More specific support should be sought via student tutors and pastoral teams.

If you accidentally forget to unlock the phone at the end of the school day the site is usually open until around 9 pm. Beyond this, there is an unlocking station accessible from the street at the north entrance, located behind the keypad to the pedestrian gate. A photo below is attached.

SRWA Phone Free School - Press Release

Phone Free FAQ document

Links to external resources:
For those keen to learn more about the rationale behind our decision and the dangers around smartphone technology, here are a range of links that might be worth exploring.

This made my kids stop begging for a phone.Set controls and teach privacy: how to manage your child’s first mobile phoneBBC Interview with Headteacher Tony Plunkett and Co-founder of Smartphone-Free Childhood

Talk by Jonathan Haidt - National Education SummitWhat evidence is there that smartphone-free schools are beneficial?Dutch Schools Phone Ban Improves Learning​Children limiting own smartphone useChannel 4 Documentary Swiped: The School That Banned SmartphonesParenting in the Digital AgeAre smartphones really that bad for kids?Best first phones- smartphone alternatives for kidsThe Social Dilemma-Netflix drama exposing big tech's infludence on our mindsThe Anxious Generation- book by Jonathan Haidt