Chichester High School hosts MP and local schools to explore phone-free learning
Chichester High School has welcomed Chichester MP Jess Brown Fuller and leaders from 14 schools on Friday to showcase the benefits of a phone-free learning environment.
Since last October, students at Chichester High School have been using Yondr pouches to keep their phones safely stored during the school day - the first school in Chichester to do so.
The lockable pouches stay in students’ bags or lockers and are unlocked at the end of the day, giving them a simple, supervised way to stay phone-free in lessons and during breaks. The system has helped reduce distractions, improve focus, and encourage students to interact more with each other and their teachers.
The introduction of the pouches has been embraced by staff, students, and parents and carers alike, with the school seeing noticeable improvements in student behaviour, concentration, and social interaction.
On Friday, school leaders from across Sussex and Hampshire were given the opportunity to see the Yondr system in action, hear from staff and students, and discuss how a phone-free approach can be implemented effectively.
Students themselves are reporting positive changes. Year 9 pupils say they are talking more to each other at break times, while Year 10 students note they are concentrating better in lessons and developing their social skills.
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 students can truly connect with their learning and each other.”
Co-Headteacher, Dr. Nicholas Taylor, said: “The impact of going phone-free in such a short time has been remarkable and we thank all members of our community for supporting us on this journey. This was a child-centred decision that has been fully embraced by staff, students, and parents and carers, with students telling us they wanted school leaders to take this decision for them and remove the distractions mobile phones can bring to the school day. It’s been great to show colleagues from across the region how reducing phone use improves focus, cuts distractions and encourages students to talk to each other more, and we are seeing those benefits every day in our own school.”
Jess Brown-Fuller, Chichester MP, said: “Thank you to the staff and students of Chichester High School who highlighted the benefits of a phone-free school to other school leaders. I regularly hear from families across Chichester who are seeing the negative impact smartphones and social media are having on young people’s wellbeing. That’s why I am pleased the Liberal Democrats are championing a harms-based approach, that would protect young people from the inappropriate content they are currently subjected to”