Leading Derby tech company L.E.A.D. IT Services 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 Government 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.
“We are seeing a lot of demand for solutions like these pouches as head teachers seek to respond to the smartphone ban. We find this to be a realistic solution but also one that means that pupils can keep their phones with them, which parents have said – when consulted by schools – is important to them.”
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: “We work with more than 270 schools and multi academy trusts across the country and we have more than 15 years of experience in sourcing and providing the very best, and most cost effective, IT solutions for them.
“We are already seeing great take-up of the Yondr phone pouches and I think we will continue to see a lot of interest from head teachers who want a solution to the smartphone ban that will work well in their schools.
“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.”
L.E.A.D. IT Services provides managed service provision to schools and multi-academy trusts, as well as in the commercial sector, and employs a team of around 70 people at its base in Pride Park.
For more information, see: www.leaditservices.co.uk/yondr-phone-pouches/
