Conwy secondary school’s ‘phone-free’ policy sees success

Students at Ysgol Aberconwy put their phones in lockable pouches at the start of the school day and swipe them open as they leave to create a “phone-free zone”. 

The school introduced the initiative in September and has noticed its positive effect on the students and the school community.

The pouches prevent cyber-bullying, and the school has found that children are socialising more and concentrating better without the distraction of phones during lessons and breaktimes, according to Ysgol Aberconwy head teacher Ian Gerrard.

Headteacher Ian Gerrard. (Image: Ian Gerrard)

Mr Gerrard believes his is the first school in Wales to use the pouch system which was introduced at the start of the school year and includes 15 magnetic unlocking stations for swiping out at the end of the day.

Under the system every pupil is issued a £10 lockable phone pouch every year, which is now considered part of the uniform and is well worth the results, he said.

In Wales it is up to individual school leaders to decide their policies on mobile phones and whether they should be banned.

Mr Gerrard said: “Rather than talking about 'phone bans' we are creating a phone-free space which is positive for mental health, wellbeing, and engagement in lessons.

“It’s not a ‘ban’ because pupils bring their phones to school and the pouches can be unlocked by teachers if they are needed for use in lessons or in an emergency."

Students at Ysgol Aberconwy with their phone pouches. (Image: Ian Gerrard)

Teachers check all pupils’ phones are locked in the pouches during registration at the start of the school day and all departments can lock and unlock them during the day if needed.

The Yondr pouch system was already used in a number of schools in England even before the Department of Education there recommended a blanket ban in all schools late last year.

Meetings with parents, pupils, and the school council were held last  year to explore ways of changing phone use at Ysgol Aberconwy, whose pupils are aged 11 to 18.

Some people have found the transition to a phone-free space challenging but overall a majority are in favour and most parents have also reported their children are happier and more engaged now.

In a letter to parents at the start of the academic year the school said: “We have taken the decision to make our school a phone-free space to support children’s wellbeing and improve teaching and learning.”

Mr Gerrard said it was all part of moves to help pupils learn not to be so dependent on their phones and to use them appropriately.

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In a recent report published by Estyn (‘We don’t tell our Teachers’), pupils in Wales identified a number of negative themes associated with phones such as the peer pressure to have a high number of online ‘friends’, ‘likes’ and comments; online bullying and posting of hurtful comments; and the sending or sharing of inappropriate photographs. 

Mr Gerrard agreed, adding: “Before [introducing the pouches] we noticed children were often focused on their phones [during breaktimes] rather than each other.

“There were issues with peer pressure on children in regard to social media and cyber-bullying which we have eradicated during the school day.

“If children fall out with a friend the school can help them deal with it positively rather than having to cope with a social media fallout.

“It’s important as educators that we realise mobile phones are part of life and our role is to help children understand how to use that tool safely and productively.”

More information about the new initiaive can be found on the school’s website here : https://www.aberconwy.conwy.sch.uk/en_gb/2023/07/03/ysgol-aberconwy-to-become-a-phone-free-space-to-improve-well-being/.