Sent to parents and carers on 12/12/25

Yondr – Student Phone Policy (January 2026)

 At Westbourne academy, we are committed to creating a learning environment where every student can thrive.  Our young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives on and offline. This presents many exciting opportunities – but also academic, emotional and social challenges.  Our goal is to promote a focused and distraction-free learning environment whilst encouraging responsible use of technology.  To support this, from January we will be introducing a mobile phone policy that incorporates the Yondr programme:

https://www.overyondr.com/.

We believe that every student deserves the chance to experience a phone-free education and Yondr pouches provide a simple, secure way of supporting this approach across our school.  This approach provides a balanced solution, ensuring young people retain possession of their phones while minimising distractions during school hours.  The Pouch helps foster social interaction, improve focus on learning, and reduce stress associated with phone use, all while maintaining communication for families during travel to and from school.

 

Student Phone Policy & Guidelines

From January 2026 our school will be a phone-free community.  Each student will be assigned a personal Yondr Pouch. They will be responsible for bringing it to school daily and keeping it in good working condition.  Phones and wearable tech will be secured in the pouch upon arrival and remain there until dismissal.  This includes smart watches.

 

Daily Process

Upon arrival, students will:

  1. Turn their phone off.
  1. Place their phone and wearable tech inside their Yondr pouch and lock it in the presence of school staff.
  1. Keep the pouched phone with them throughout the school day and store it in a backpack or their blazer.

At dismissal, students will unlock their pouch, retrieve their phone and tech, and re-close the pouch to protect the locking mechanism from damage.  Pouches must be brought to and from school each day.

Note: Students arriving late or leaving early will pouch/unpouch their phones at the entrance to Attendance. 

 

Procedures and Sanctions

Late Arrivals/Early Dismissals

Students arriving late or leaving early must pouch/unpouch their phones and wearable tech at the entrance to Attendance.

Forgotten Pouches

The student’s phone will be collected and securely stored in the Attendance office until the end of the day. Parents/carers will be contacted and reminded of the procedures.  If the pouch is repeatedly forgotten their pouch will be treated as lost and a replacement fee of £15 will be charged.

Phone Use During the School Day

If a student is found in possession of a phone outside their pouch on school site, the phone will be confiscated and stored in the Attendance office.  The phone will be returned once a parent/guardian collects it.

Searches may be conducted if teachers have concerns that a student has a mobile device on them that hasn’t been placed into their pouch, these will include the use of a metal detector wand.

Students who refuse to co-operate with staff or repeatedly attempt to use their phone during the school day will be sanctioned for persistent defiance, through seclusion or suspension.

Damaged Pouches 

Any attempt to tamper with the Yondr system, including use or possession of high-strength magnets will be treated as a serious offence, potentially resulting in a replacement fee of £15, confiscation until a parent/guardian picks it up, seclusion or suspension for defiance of our expectations.

If accidental damage occurs, students must report it immediately.  If damage is discovered during checks and has not been reported, it may be considered intentional.

The following examples may indicate intentional damage:

  • Ripped or cut fabric
  • Bent or cut pin
  • Signs of force to the black locking mechanism
  • Pen marks inside the pouch
  • Pouch opening without a station
  • Scuff marks on the black ball

The pouch should not be used as a replacement for a protective case and/or screen protector on a mobile device.

 

 

 

 

 

Emergencies and Safeguarding

Communications During the School Day

Parents/carers who need to contact their child during the school day should do so via the school office on (01473) 742315.  We will then pass this message onto your child.

Medical Conditions

Students who require access to their mobile devices for specific medical purposes will be provided with a medical pouch.

Emergency Procedures 

In an emergency, the priority is for students to follow school safety procedures under staff guidance. Unauthorised phone use during such situations may:

  • Delay emergency responses
  • Spread misinformation
  • Put students and staff at increased risk
  • Disrupt coordinated safeguarding measures

Emergency communications will be managed through the school.

Overview of emergency plan, e.g. during a fire evacuation:

  • SLT/Principal will bring a portable unlocking station with them if it is safe to grasp and carry during the emergency
  • if conditions are unsafe, leaders will prioritise personal safety and follow emergency procedures.

 

 

Kind regards

Mr M Higgon

Principal

 

Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.

Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.

General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315

Attendance or Absence queries to: wes-attendance@attrust.org.uk 

Exam queries to: anna.fulcher@attrust.org.uk 

Lettings queries to wes-lettings@attrust.org.uk

MCAS, online payments and data information queries to: wes-data@attrust.org.uk

Safeguarding queries to wes-safe@attrust.org.uk

SEND queries to: willow.piper@attrust.org.uk