A London school has introduced new magnetic phone pouches which stop pupils from using their devices during the school day, with astounding results.
E-ACT Crest Academy in Brent, which was rated ‘Good’ in its latest Ofsted inspection, brought in the pouches after the October half term. The pouches are locked and unlocked magnetically so pupils can keep their phones, but they can’t be used during the school day.
At its most recent Ofsted, inspectors said that behaviour at the school was good, with behaviour like bullying already rare. However, the team at the school decided that this new approach to phones could help improve pupil behaviour further.
Overall, in comparison to the previous half term, phone confiscations are down from 88 to 36, a decrease of 59%.
Lunchtime incidents were down by 64%, whilst lessons removals were down by 12%. Internal truancy, where children are on school grounds but playing truant from lessons decreased by 14%.
The move comes as the Prime Minister signalled his support for a social media ban for under 16’s, after Australia introduced a similar measure last year.
Andrea Rosewell, headteacher at E-ACT Crest Academy, praised the success of the new rules.
She commented: “I’m very happy about the impact we’re seeing from our new approach to phones in school, and we’re finding that, once our students get used to it, they’re thanking us for these new rules.
“They feel freed from the pressure that comes with phones. There’s no way for our pupils to be distracted by their phones, and children feel free from the ‘fear of missing out’.
The statistics really speak for themselves here, and at Crest we’re seeing more relaxed young people who can focus on their learning.”
