Uxbridge High School today welcomed the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Danny Beales, along with local school leaders from across West London to see how its fully phone-free approach is improving pupil focus, behaviour and wellbeing across the school day.
Attendees saw the pupil arrival and pouching process, followed by presentations on how the school’s phone-free approach is working in practice. It comes as new government guidance states that schools should operate as phone-free environments throughout the whole school day, with many now exploring how to implement phone policies that will comply with government and Ofsted requirements.
Staff, pupils and parents shared their experiences of the change, with the school reporting improved focus in lessons.
Since September 2025, Uxbridge High School has used Yondr pouches, allowing pupils to keep their phones with them while preventing access during the school day. The pouches are locked on arrival and unlocked at the end of the day, creating a clear approach that is applied consistently across the school, reducing the need for staff to check phone use throughout the day.
Staff report that the change has aligned the system with its policy to become completely phone-free. Teachers and staff report having more time to focus on learning and support rather than policing phone use. Pupils described engaging more in lessons and having better face-to-face interaction with their classmates and teachers. Parents have also noted positive changes at home, including fewer conflicts over phone use.
The event forms part of a wider conversation across the constituency, led by Danny Beales MP, about how schools can support healthier relationships with technology and create phone-free environments for young people.
Louisa Seymour, Principal at Uxbridge High School, said: “The positive impact of going phone-free has been remarkable, and today’s event has been a valuable opportunity to share the benefits we’ve seen at Uxbridge High School with other schools in West London and the wider community. Pupils and parents have told us that there have been tangible improvements in many areas of daily life as a result of going phone-free, not just in school. Our thanks go to Danny Beales MP for taking the time to visit and for highlighting the success we’ve had in this area as a school.”
Danny Beales MP, Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, said: “It was great to visit Uxbridge High School and see their phone-free approach in action. Hearing directly from staff, pupils and parents about the real difference it has made to focus in lessons and how young people connect with one another was very encouraging. This is a great example of a school taking a clear approach to improving the wellbeing of its pupils, and I hope it inspires other schools across West London to follow their lead.
I am also pleased to see the Government taking this issue seriously at a national level. New Department for Education guidance now states that pupils should not use their phones at any point during the school day. Protecting the wellbeing of young people in Uxbridge and South Ruislip will always be a priority, and I am glad to see real momentum behind this issue”.
Graham Dugoni, CEO and Founder of Yondr, said: “Events like this demonstrate the growing momentum behind phone-free schools in the UK. School leaders are recognising that creating these focused, distraction-free environments helps build a culture where pupils can truly connect with their learning and each other.”
