School gets £4,500 for lockable mobile phone cases

A school will receive funding for lockable phone cases to support efforts to limit mobile usage by pupils.

Wootton Park School in Northampton will get £4,500 to part-fund the signal-blocking pouches, which about 900 secondary school-aged pupils can use.

The initiative is part of a wider project aimed at improving concentration and wellbeing.

"By removing the constant pull of mobile phones, we're creating space for better concentration, stronger relationships and improved wellbeing," said Dan Rosser, the executive head teacher of Wootton Park Academy Trust.

The Department for Education has issued guidance encouraging schools to create phone-free environments where possible.

The school already has a zero-phone policy but said the lockable cases would allow pupils to carry phones during the day while preventing access until the end of lessons.

The money comes from the Safe and Sound Communities Fund, from the office of Northamptonshire's police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC).

Danielle Stone, the Labour PFCC, said she believed in the school's approach to managing classrooms.

"By regulating phone use, the school is giving our young people the best possible chance of success and improved wellbeing."

A rollout plan will include workshops and assemblies for pupils and parents before feedback is gathered later in the year.

An end-of-year review will assess changes in behaviour, engagement and wellbeing among pupils and staff.

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