Two schools in York and one in Selby are to become mobile free zones for students.
Heartwood Learning Trust has announced it is making all six of its secondary schools ‘completely phone-free’.
These include Manor CE in Poppleton, Vale of York in Clifton and Barlby High School.
Video: Watch how it works
Liberty Academy (Hull), and Graham School and George Pindar School (Scarborough) are the others in the scheme.
Heartwood, formerly Hope Sentamu Learning Trust, has partnered with Yondr, a US firm which makes the Yondr pouch.
Pupils will be required to store their phones in the Yondr pouch and store it in their bag or locker. The pouch remains locked within the designated phone-free area, and is unlocked under staff supervision at the end of the school day.
By developing a phone-free school community, the trust aims to “help students develop balanced approaches to technology use in their lives while reducing stress and anxiety linked to constant connectivity online”.
Chief executive of Heartwood Learning Trust Helen Winn said: “We’ve seen how powerful it can be when students are free from digital distractions, and we’re excited to introduce a phone-free environment to all six of our secondary schools.
“Our students will benefit from the space to think deeply, focus fully on their learning, and connect genuinely with each other and school staff, without the constant distraction of phones.
“It will also allow our school staff to do what they do best – teaching and supporting students, safe in the knowledge that everyone can engage fully throughout the day.
“We’re really looking forward to getting up and running, seeing our students using their Yondr pouches and realising the benefits for everyone over the weeks and months ahead.”
