Stamford School are seeing the positive impact of their new smartphone free project
At the start of the new academic year, the School made its senior school a smartphone free environment
Stamford School students are changing their mind on the smartphone free movement after seeing it in action.
At the start of the new academic year the School made its senior school, for children in Year 7 – 11, a smartphone free environment by introducing lockable pouches that store student’s phones.
Every student secures their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school in tutor time.
Katie Dexter, Deputy Head Pastoral at Stamford School, said:
'The roll out of our Yondr programme has been very encouraging.
We now see children enjoying spending quality time with their peers at break and lunchtime
As well as a phone free school day, we have increased our quiet study space areas, so students are able to focus on their work without the temptation of checking their mobiles; this has therefore improved their ability to concentrate.'
'What has been particularly noticeable is that we now see children enjoying spending quality time with their peers at break and lunchtime, without the worry of whether they have missed out on something on social media.'
Students maintain possession of their phones but cannot use them until their pouches are unlocked and opened at the end of the school day.
They are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times.
Millie, a year 11 student at the school, said:
"In all honesty, I didn't think it was going to last.
I think that's why people are suddenly really focused in lessons__
I thought people would either bring in a fake phones or put a calculator in there and hide their phone.
The teachers have been strict with it which has been good as there's been a positive impact in doing so."
"It has now become part of our normal routine.
It sounds strange but, you feel like with all distractions put away you can now try your best. I
I think that's why people are suddenly really focused in lessons."
Yondr has been implemented in over 3,000 schools across 27 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment.
In a survey by Yondr of over 900 school partners they found that 65% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance, 74% of schools saw an improvement in student behaviour and 83% of schools saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom.
Andy Murphy, Senior Deputy Head at Stamford School, said:
"We have seen is an increase in work and more interactions in lessons. At break time we are seeing people kicking balls around, socialising and playing chess."
"One of the big things we have before Yondr is children coming out of lessons using mobile phones, videoing each other and making TikTok videos.
That is not a good use of academic time and they would just worry more about what people are saying about them. For us this has been a breath of fresh air."