When pupils returned to Stockport Grammar School after the summer break, they were met with the familiar pace of a new academic year—minus one thing: the pressure of mobile phones. 

Since September, SGS has introduced Yondr pouches into the school. The pouches have helped SGS create a calmer, more focused learning environment by removing the constant distraction of mobile phones during the school day. Phones must be switched off and stored away in the Yondr pouches before pupils enter the school site for the day.

Head, Sarah Capewell, made the move in a bid to re-engage pupils with their lessons and to encourage face-to-face interactions between them during the school day. Since the phone ban came into effect, pupils have reported spending more time with their friends at break and lunch time and are finding it easier to engage in lessons without the worry of their phone going off. When asked whether they would want to bring phones back, the majority said they are happy to keep the pouches, stating that they enjoy the time they spend with friends more than using social media. 

When surveyed, parents have also responded positively to the change. The average response from 1-5 was 4.2, with 5 as strongly agree with the change. Although some parents have stated that their child’s phone usage has remained the same at home, they are happy that throughout the school day, the pupils are focused on learning. 

A pupil commented: “I feel not having phones makes us more social. Me and my friends go outside and play table tennis or football instead of sitting on phones,” while another said: “I think not having phones has been good. We’ve been talking about things other than phones because they’re locked away.”