To download a copy of this letter, click here.
- September 29, 2025
Dear Parent/Carer,
We will be making our school a phone-free space to improve teaching and learning using a system called Yondr. Yondr has been successfully implemented in thousands of schools across 35 countries to facilitate an engaged learning environment including local schools to us; Bedford High, Shevington High and Birchwood High. Having visited Birchwood High and Bedford High, we are confident that Yondr will have a positive impact here as well.
Whilst we understand that phones have great utility, the misuse of phones in school has a detrimental impact on learning and social behaviour. By restricting the use of phones in school we aim to drastically improve student engagement in school for the better. These restrictions also apply to ‘Smart’ watches – which are also not allowed as they are effectively mini-mobile phones.
Yondr recently surveyed over 900 school partners to measure the effects of creating phone-free educational environments. These schools achieved notable progress in multiple areas:
- 65% of schools saw an improvement in academic performance
- 74% of schools saw an improvement in student behaviour
- 83% of schools saw an improvement in student engagement in the classroom
- 86% of schools saw a positive impact on student safety and wellness
You will probably be aware of national campaigns to restrict the use of phones in school. This is a recent clip from the BBC news featuring the mother of Brianna Ghey who is leading a national campaign to ban phones in all schools following the tragic circumstances of Brianna’s murder in 2023. Brianna was a student at Birchwood High in Warrington.
The Yondr Program utilises a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone and other wearable technology. Every student will secure their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school. Students will maintain possession of their phones and will not use them until their pouches are opened at the end of the school day. Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times. Students may also be required to place a SMART watch (if they have one) and air pods (if they have them) into the pouch as well.
If there is an emergency and you would like to get in contact with your child, please contact reception by telephone on 01942 883796.
We will be rolling out the Yondr system in a phased manner from October 2025, we will start with Year 7 on the 20th October 2025 followed by Year 8 and 9 from the 17th November 2025. We hope to bring on board Year 10 and 11 by Christmas. We may adjust these timescales as we refine the routines with students.
More details about the Yondr system can be found below along with a series of Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly, or attend one of our upcoming meetings about the adoption of Yondr;
- Monday 6th October: 12.00pm
- Monday 6th October: 6:00pm
If you do intend to attend one of the meetings, please email your name, child’s name and the meeting you intend to attend to Mrs Marland at marlandd@flhs.wigan.sch.uk
In an effort to best serve your child, we appreciate your full support in the adoption of the Yondr Program at our school.
Yours sincerely,
Mr P Davies
Headteacher
How Yondr Works
Frequently Asked Questions
We want our students to be engaged in their learning. A child at high school should not really have a reason to contact a parent during the day; however, if there is a genuine reason e.g. they have forgotten their packed lunch, a phone call can be made home from the school office. If a parent needs to contact their child in an emergency, they should contact the school office. If you need to contact your child during the school day, contact the main office on 01942 883796.
In case of a school emergency, we direct our students to safety first, following our school emergency procedures.
Students are in possession of their phone - in their Yondr pouch - for the entire school day. We will advise students to store the pouch safely in their school bag or blazer pockets.
If a student damages their Pouch or is caught on their phone, we will confiscate the phone and issue a sanction which is likely to be a suspension.
Note: Damage consists of any signs that the physical integrity of the pouch has been compromised, whether intentional or unintentional, as determined by the school or Yondr staff.
Damaged pouches will be charged to parents at a cost of £20.
They will be searched and wanded with a handheld scanner by a member of SLT. If they are found to have their phone on their person they will be expected to place it in their pouch. Refusal will be met with suspension.
If a student forgets their Pouch, their phone will be confiscated.
As per our previous mobile phone policy;
- Confiscated phones will be taken to reception where the phone will be secured in the school safe.
- Parents will be alerted to the phone confiscation via the school office.
Parents will have the option to collect the phone at the end of the day. If this happens, the following day students must hand their phone back-in. If parents do not collect the phone, the phone will remain in school until the end of the week or until the student has their pouch.
In Yondr’s experience, this almost never happens. All students funnel past the unlocking stations at the exits, they want their phones back and don’t forget to unlock their pouches. If they do arrive home with a phone in a pouch, they can either come back to school to unlock it, or have a phone free evening!
The unlocking process is quick and takes under a second per student. While students are still getting used to how to unlock pouches, staff will be on hand with mobile unlocking stations to stop queues forming in the first few weeks. If needed, we will add extra unlocking points.
As a privilege, Year 11 will be able to unlock their phones as they go off site at lunchtime; however, they will be expected to put their phones back into their pouches when they return to school for period 5.
Yes. There is an adapted version of the pouch which uses a Velcro fastener instead of a magnetic lock. This means the student still follows the policy, but the adapted pouch gives them easy access to their phone when required. If the student abuses this, they will face a sanction. We are already aware of these students.
There are lots of logistical considerations to take into account to ensure that 1300 students use Yondr properly. A phased roll out, one year group at a time, allows us to perfect routines and troubleshoot any issues.
Mobile Phone Policy
The file above is provided in PDF format and will open on most computers, tablets and smartphones without the need for additional software, but if you need to download a reader follow this link (computers only) or on tablets and smartphones use the Apple iTunes or Google Play stores.
