Dartmoor schools lock away mobile phones in major classroom change
Students in Tavistock, Okehampton and Holsworthy are now storing their mobile phones in locked pouches during the school day as Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust introduces a new phone-free policy
Secondary schools in the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust (DMAT) have introduced a new mobile phone policy requiring students to keep their devices locked away during the school day.
The policy has been rolled out at Holsworthy Community College, Okehampton College, Tavistock College and The Promise School.
Students are now issued with lockable pouches made by Yondr, which allow them to keep their phones with them but inaccessible during lessons.
The pouches are unlocked at designated stations when students leave school.
DMAT said the move is intended to reduce distractions in lessons, encourage face-to-face interaction between pupils and support student wellbeing.
Rachel Shaw, chief executive of Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said: "As educators, we have a responsibility to respond to the challenges young people face both online and offline.
“This initiative is about supporting wellbeing, improving engagement and helping students get the very best from their education.
"By introducing the Yondr programme, we are creating more space for focused learning, meaningful conversations and positive social experiences, while still ensuring students have access to their phones before and after the school day.
"Students have already embraced the new system and we are very grateful to them and their families for supporting this initiative."
The trust said the policy follows research shared by Yondr suggesting schools with phone-free environments have reported improvements in classroom engagement, student wellbeing and behaviour.
Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust operates a number of schools across Devon, including Holsworthy Community College, Okehampton College, Tavistock College and The Promise School.