We understand that moving to a phone-free environment using a lockable pouch system is a significant change. In line with “The Cramlington Way,” we want to ensure all stakeholders feel informed and supported. Below is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide designed to address common queries from parents and students regarding the new policy and how to manage communication effectively.<\/p>\n New laws in 2026 which mean that all schools must make schools a phone free environment.\u00a0 Research developed and shared by the Department for Education\u00a0 indicates that a mobile phone-free environment can have a positive impact on mental health and educational outcomes. By using pouches, we ensure that phones are “unseen” and “off” throughout the school day, including at break and lunchtimes.\u00a0 We are also supporting the reduction in potential damage from social media and online harms while fostering a calm, focused learning environment.<\/span><\/p>\n Lockable pouches are widely used in secondary schools, colleges, and universities to support behaviour, safeguarding, exam integrity, and digital wellbeing.\u00a0 We have visited several schools in the north east who have already successfully introduced lockable pouches.<\/span><\/p>\n Upon arrival at school, students must switch off their mobile phones and any other smart technology (such as smartwatches with communication features) and secure them in their issued lockable pouch. Students keep the pouch in their own school bag throughout the day. The pouches are then unlocked at designated stations as students leave the school site at the end of the day.<\/span><\/p>\n Authorised staff can unlock pouches quickly if needed. We have clear procedures in place to ensure safety and reassurance.<\/span><\/p>\n We have examined a range of different pouches and providers.\u00a0 Pouches are built for repeated daily use using long-life materials and reinforced construction, making them suitable for regular use and being carried each day.\u00a0 The manufacturer offers a 2 year warranty.<\/span><\/p>\n We understand that parents may need to reach their children for emergencies. In such cases, parents should contact the school office directly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We fully comply with our legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the Children and Families Act 2014. If a student has a documented medical condition\u2014for example, diabetes requiring a phone-linked glucose monitor\u2014they will be granted a “reasonable adjustment” to access their device as necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yes. We recognise that many parents value the safety and tracking capabilities of a mobile phone during the commute. Because students retain possession of the locked pouch in their bags, the device is immediately available for use once they leave the school premises and use an unlocking station.<\/span><\/p>\n Consistency is vital to “The Cramlington Way”. Failure to follow the pouch policy is considered a breach of the Behaviour Policy and will result in staged consequences including:<\/span><\/p>\n To model the high standards we expect from our students, staff are advised not to use their personal mobile phones for personal reasons in front of pupils during the school day. Pastoral staff use authorised mobile devices for school business throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n Reflecting their increased independence, Sixth Form students may be permitted access to their devices in limited, designated areas, such as the Sixth Form common room. However, they must not use their phones in front of younger pupils.<\/span><\/p>\n If the pouch has become damaged and does not operate please speak to staff in school who will assess the damage and contact the supplier if a warranty claim is justified.\u00a0 Evidence of deliberate damage, destruction or vandalism that requires replacement will be at the cost to the parent.<\/span><\/p>\n By distributing the unlocking stations and equipping staff with portable tools, we aim to make the transition at the end of the day as seamless as possible for both students and parents.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Schools in England are now required by law to make their premises phone-free environments by default following the recent amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. This means that from September 2026 we will be a completely phone free school. This is a significant change which supports a more focused learning environment and… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3813,"parent":210,"menu_order":15,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7920","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-07-08 19:12:55","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7920"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7928,"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7920\/revisions\/7928"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/pouch.png\")
<\/a>We recognise that for some students and families the use of a mobile phone on the journey to and from school is helpful. To support this parents may choose to purchase an authorised lockable phone pouch from school. The pouch will enable your child to use their device on the journey to and from school. During school time the mobile phone will remain with the student, switched off inside the lockable pouch.<\/span><\/p>\nMobile Phone Pouch System: Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Why are we introducing lockable pouches?<\/h3>\n
Are other schools using this system?<\/h3>\n
How does the pouch system work?<\/h3>\n
What if my child needs to access a mobile device in an emergency?<\/h3>\n
How long are the pouches expected to last?<\/h3>\n
How can I contact my child during the school day?<\/h3>\n
What if my child needs their phone for a medical condition?<\/h3>\n
Will my child have their phone for the journey to and from school?<\/h3>\n
What happens if a student refuses to use the pouch or circumvents the lock?<\/h3>\n
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Are staff also banned from using phones?<\/h3>\n
What about Sixth Form students?<\/h3>\n
My pouch is damaged and does not work.\u00a0 What do I do?<\/h3>\n
How will we manage peak times for unlocking:<\/h3>\n
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