Phone Free SBS

At St Birinus School, we are deeply committed to creating a calm, focused and supportive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. We know that our young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world, balancing life both online and offline.

While technology offers many exciting opportunities, it also brings real challenges — including distraction from learning, increased anxiety, disrupted sleep and pressures linked to social media.

As parents, you want your child to feel safe, confident and able to concentrate on their education, and we share that goal. Beginning in September 2026, we will be introducing the Yondr Phone-Free Schools Programme. This change is not about removing technology from young people’s lives, but about creating protected time during the school day where students can fully focus on learning, build positive relationships, and develop independence without the constant pull of notifications and online pressures.

Being phone-free during the school day allows students to ... 

• focus more deeply on their learning, leading to stronger academic outcomes
• build real-world friendships and communication skills, free from digital distractions
• feel safer and less exposed to online pressures, including social media comparison and cyber issues
• develop healthier habits and balance between their online and offline lives

We understand that parents may have concerns about communication. Please be reassured that students will still have access to pastoral support during the school day and families will always be able to contact the school office, if needed.

Here at SBS, we pride ourselves on clear routines and high standards that help students feel confident and ready to learn. The Yondr programme will quickly become part of our daily rhythm and routine.

Each student will be issued with a Yondr pouch (the first one issued at our expense) — a secure, lockable case designed to safely store personal devices throughout the school day. Students will be responsible for bringing their pouch to and from school each day and taking care of it, supporting our commitment to personal responsibility and readiness to learn.

Daily routine will now differ ...

• Upon arrival in Registration - Students will switch off all smart technology, including mobile phones and smart watches, place their devices into the pouch, and lock it in the presence of a member of staff
• During the day - The pouch will remain safely stored in the student’s bag, allowing them to fully engage in lessons and school life, without distraction
• At the end of the day - Students will unlock their pouches at designated stations and retrieve their devices to take home, ready for the next school day

This process is quick, smooth, and carefully guided by staff.

Staying Connected ... 

Your child’s safety and wellbeing remain at the heart of everything we do at SBS. Our established safeguarding procedures will continue to be followed at all times.

If you need to contact your child during the school day, our main office team is always ready to support you — please call 01235 814444 and we will ensure messages are passed on promptly.

We know that successful change happens when schools and families work closely together. At SBS, we value that partnership deeply and are committed to making this transition as smooth and positive as possible for both students and parents.

To support this ... 

• We will share a short information video with families later this term
• We will share our mobile phone SOP with families and students later this term
• Students have and will receive guidance through assemblies and tutor time
• On the first day back in September, we will take time to practise using the pouches so that every student feels confident and ready