Stamford School goes Smartphone Free

Stamford School is now a smartphone free space for children aged 11-16. At the start of the new academic year, Stamford School made its senior school, for children in Year 7 – 11, a smartphone free environment by introducing Yondr.

The Yondr system utilises a simple, secure, lockable pouch that stores a student’s phone. Every student secures their phone in a personally assigned Yondr pouch when they arrive at school in tutor time. Students maintain possession of their phones but cannot use them until their pouches are unlocked and opened at the end of the school day. Students are required to bring their Yondr pouch to and from school each day and are responsible for their pouch at all times.

Andy Murphy, Senior Deputy Head at Stamford School, comments: “The Smartphone Free Childhood movement is something we are fully in support of at Stamford and we wanted to be ahead of the curve on this. 70% of our parents approved of the idea following parent consultation, so back in June we began to prepare for the roll out ready for the new academic year. All our students have Surface Pro devices; therefore, following the successful roll out of this in 2020, we have no need for smartphones in lessons.

“The aim of the Yondr pouch within the school space is to minimise distractions in lessons and maximise learning potential. Student engagement in the classroom has increased already, as has student behaviour. We will see by the end of the year how this also contributes to academic performance, but we expect the outcomes to be positive.”

Katie Dexter, Deputy Head Pastoral at Stamford School, adds: “The roll out of our Yondr programme has been very encouraging. As well as a phone free school day, we have increased our quiet study space areas, so students are able to focus on their work without the temptation of checking their mobiles; this has therefore improved their ability to concentrate. What has been particularly noticeable, however, is that we now see children enjoying spending quality time with their peers at break and lunchtime, without the worry of whether they have missed out on something on social media.

Our students have the freedom to be more present, and to just be in the moment with their friends. Reducing a source of stress and anxiety has visibly had a positive impact on their wellbeing.”