Introducing Yondr

Dear Parents,

Re: Student Mobile Phones

Many thanks for your response to our recent survey about mobile phone usage. As you will have seen in the media there is an increasing level of concern around teenage mobile phone usage and the impact they are having on their mental health and well-being. This was highlighted in the recent Netflix programme Adolescence and documentaries on Channel 4 and the BBC.

As a school we are very keen to promote and support measures that will help improve students’ mental health and wellbeing.

In light of these concerns, we will be making our school a phone-free space from Monday 7^th July 2025. From Monday we will be using a system called Yondr. Yondr has been implemented in thousands of schools across 35 countries to facilitate an engaging learning environment.  Many local secondary schools have implemented this system with a positive impact on their school community.

We recognise that mobile phones have a role to play in our students lives, however their addictive nature often causes conflict, unkindness and disengagement in school which impacts their personal and academic development.   We want students to benefit from all the opportunities school offers without the constant distraction of their mobile phone.

The Yondr Program utilises a simple, secure pouch that stores a phone. Every student will secure their phone in a Yondr pouch when they arrive at school each day. Students will keep their pouch, containing their phone, with them all day.  At the end of the day students will open their pouch as they exit the school site, close the pouch, and place the pouch in the storage provided. Students are responsible for their pouch all day. If they have any concerns about the condition of the pouch when they collect it, they must alert staff immediately.

To support the implementation of this system students have been shown a video during lesson 5 so they are aware of how it will work. Students who are not currently in school due to work experience have been sent the presentation to their students’ email.

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

We are aware that as a parent, carer you may have some questions about the introduction of this system. To offer support we have provided a range of FAQs and answers. Our policy can also be found here. Staff will be available on the gate every day to answer any questions you may have. We are also holding a parent/carer drop-in session Tuesday 8^th July between 3-4:30pm.

In an effort to best serve your child, we would like to thank you in advance for your full support in the adoption of the Yondr Program at our school.

Yours sincerely,

Mr D Butterworth

Headteacher