Education

Community Schools Trust invests £50,000 in lockable pouches to curb phone use and boost student wellbeing

Thursday, 25 September 2025 4:07AM UTC

A group of schools is pioneering a significant investment in lockable phone pouches to enforce a ban on mobile devices during the school day, aiming to improve mental health and reduce distractions amid global trends and debates over device dependence.

A group of schools under the Community Schools Trust has taken the significant step of investing more than £50,000 in lockable phone pouches to enforce a ban on mobile phones during the school day. Simon Elliott, CEO of the Trust, explained that the decision was driven by concerns over the mental health risks and distractions caused by smartphone use. Despite an existing ban, students had been circumventing the rules by using their devices out of sight or sneakily in toilets, prompting the Trust to purchase lockable pouches at £9 each for all pupils across its seven schools to prevent phone use during class times.

Mr Elliott emphasised that while the cost is considerable, the benefits outweigh the expense. He pointed to recent research highlighting that the average teenager spends around 11 hours a day on screens, with over half of children aged eight to 11 owning smartphones. He described the addiction to these devices as “completely and utterly” affecting young people, not just academically but also impacting their wellbeing, linking heavy social media use to increased depression and anxiety. Nevertheless, he noted that students would still have access to their phones outside school hours, and the schools also focus on teaching responsible phone use.

The Trust’s move reflects a broader trend in educational institutions around the world responding to concerns about excessive smartphone use among students. In the United States, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order in July 2024 directing the state’s education department to develop procedures to limit phone use during instructional time, including the potential use of pouches or lockers—bearing clear exceptions for emergencies and parental communication. Similarly, California has passed legislation mandating school districts to restrict smartphone use by 2026, targeting classroom distractions and mental health impacts associated with social media.

Even internationally, schools are experimenting with innovative methods to curb phone dependency. A pioneering programme in Santiago, Chile’s Lo Barnechea Bicentenario school blocks phone signals during school hours to foster real-world interaction and better student wellbeing. Students store their devices in magnetic cases that cut off signal access, encouraging them to engage in physical activities and socialisation instead.

Despite mounting support for such measures, academic research offers a complex view. A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found no clear evidence that restrictive phone policies in schools improved mental wellbeing, academic achievement, sleep, or physical activity. The research indicated that while students used their phones less during school hours under these policies, they compensated by increasing usage outside school, negating overall benefits. Meanwhile, a separate study in BMC Psychiatry highlighted that problematic smartphone use—particularly addiction-like social networking—contributed to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress among up to a quarter of youths studied.

The mixed findings underscore the challenges schools face in balancing the management of device use while addressing mental health and educational outcomes. The Community Schools Trust’s approach, supported by provider Phone Locker which provides the lockable pouches, represents one strategy aiming to reduce distractions and improve focus. Adam Proops, managing director of Phone Locker, emphasised that the pouches act as a physical barrier that helps students resist the temptation to use phones during school hours, though he acknowledged that parental support and responsibility remain crucial.

In the UK, recent high-profile cases like the ban at Blackhorse Primary School in Bristol—prompted by the discovery of thousands of WhatsApp messages on a pupil’s phone overnight—have intensified calls for tougher controls on mobile phone use in schools. Politically, the issue remains contested, with Conservative politicians advocating for nationwide legal bans on smartphones in educational settings, while Labour argues that existing guidance and policies are sufficient, as many schools already impose restrictions.

The Community Schools Trust’s significant financial commitment and firm stance reflect the growing recognition among educators that managing smartphone use is critical for protecting students’ mental health and maximising their learning potential. Whether lockable pouches or similar measures will deliver sustained benefits remains to be fully seen, but the shift signals a broader societal effort to recalibrate young people’s relationship with digital devices in educational environments.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15129219/Schools-50K-lockable-phone-pouches.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/virginia-limit-or-ban-cell-phones-public-schools-2024-07-10/ - In July 2024, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order to restrict or ban cell phone use in public schools, aiming to address mental health issues and academic underachievement among students. The order directs the Virginia Department of Education to develop procedures for limiting cell phone use during instructional time, potentially using pouches or dedicated lockers. Exceptions are considered for parental communication, medical needs, or emergencies. This initiative follows similar actions by other school districts, reflecting growing concerns over the adverse effects of cell phones on students' learning and mental health. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/virginia-limit-or-ban-cell-phones-public-schools-2024-07-10/?utm_source=openai))
https://www.apnews.com/article/a8b624f0a9fce4eab4e927a985285871 - In September 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation requiring school districts to establish rules restricting student smartphone use by July 1, 2026. The law aims to minimize classroom distractions and address the mental health impacts of social media on children. While some support the law for encouraging academic focus and social development, others oppose the mandate, arguing it burdens teachers and could limit emergency communication. Some school districts have already implemented phone restrictions with positive engagement changes. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/a8b624f0a9fce4eab4e927a985285871?utm_source=openai))
https://www.apnews.com/article/6f43c9dd0e9b7953c792d1accc2cfe8e - A school in Santiago, Chile, Lo Barnechea Bicentenario, has pioneered a program to combat smartphone addiction among students by blocking phone signals, encouraging real-world socialization. This initiative, the first of its kind in Chile and among the first in South America, aims to improve student well-being by limiting screen time during school hours. Students keep their phones in special magnetic cases that block signal access, fostering more active breaks through sports, games, and social interaction. The program has shown positive reception and is set to expand to all grades and other district schools. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/6f43c9dd0e9b7953c792d1accc2cfe8e?utm_source=openai))
https://www.axios.com/2019/11/29/smartphone-anxiety-depression-youth - A study published in BMC Psychiatry highlights that approximately 25% of youths are experiencing anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and high stress due to "problematic smartphone use." The study suggests that the way young people use smartphones, particularly in ways that resemble behavioral addiction, is potentially more detrimental to their mental health than the devices themselves. The research involved analyzing 41 studies out of 924, encompassing data from over 40,000 children and young people, primarily aged 17 to 19 years. These users reported that social networking was a significant aspect of their smartphone usage. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2019/11/29/smartphone-anxiety-depression-youth?utm_source=openai))
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762%2825%2900029-8/fulltext - A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found no evidence that school phone policies were associated with improved mental wellbeing, anxiety, depression, problematic social media use, sleep health, physical activity, or educational attainment. While participants in schools with restrictive policies reported less phone use during the school day, they compensated for this when outside of school, resulting in no overall difference in screen time or social media use. The study suggests that restrictive phone policies may not be effective in improving students' mental health or academic performance. ([thelancet.com](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762%2825%2900029-8/fulltext?utm_source=openai))

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents a recent initiative by the Community Schools Trust to invest over £50,000 in lockable phone pouches, aiming to enforce a mobile phone ban during school hours. This approach aligns with a growing trend in educational institutions worldwide addressing concerns over smartphone use among students. Similar measures have been reported in various regions, including the United States and Australia, indicating that the concept is not entirely new. However, the specific details and financial commitment of the Community Schools Trust's initiative appear to be original. The report includes updated data and references to recent research, suggesting a high level of freshness. Nonetheless, the broader concept of using lockable pouches in schools has been previously reported, which may affect the originality score. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/virginia-limit-or-ban-cell-phones-public-schools-2024-07-10/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The report includes direct quotes from Simon Elliott, CEO of the Community Schools Trust, and Adam Proops, managing director of Phone Locker. A search for these quotes reveals no exact matches in earlier publications, indicating that they are likely original to this report. This suggests a high level of originality in the content.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. While the Daily Mail is generally considered reliable, it has faced criticism for sensationalism in some of its reporting. Given the nature of the report, which includes specific financial figures and direct quotes, the source appears to be credible. However, the Daily Mail's reputation for sensationalism warrants a moderate reliability score.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The report's claims are plausible and align with current trends in educational institutions implementing measures to limit smartphone use among students. The inclusion of specific financial figures (£50,000 investment) and direct quotes from involved parties adds credibility to the narrative. The report also references recent research and similar initiatives in other regions, supporting the plausibility of the claims.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative presents a recent initiative by the Community Schools Trust to invest over £50,000 in lockable phone pouches to enforce a mobile phone ban during school hours. The report includes original quotes and specific financial details, suggesting a high level of freshness and originality. While the broader concept of using lockable pouches in schools has been previously reported, the specific details of this initiative appear to be original. The source, the Daily Mail, is generally reliable, though it has faced criticism for sensationalism in some of its reporting. The claims made in the report are plausible and supported by references to recent research and similar initiatives in other regions. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.

education
student wellbeing
mobile phone ban