As part of our continued commitment to ensuring a calm, focused and purposeful learning environment, we are writing to inform you of the planned introduction of mobile phone pouches at South Wirral High School.
As outlined in previous communications, mobile phones can present a significant distraction during the school day, impacting on students’ learning, wellbeing and social interaction. While our current policy already prohibits mobile phone use, experience shows that this can be difficult to enforce consistently. Students are often highly resourceful in finding ways to use their phones, and this can lead to a range of issues which take time away from teaching, learning and pastoral support.
As a school, we want to ensure that our time and energy are focused on supporting students’ academic success, wellbeing and positive relationships. Strengthening our approach to mobile phone use is an important step in achieving this, reducing distractions and creating an environment where all students can thrive.
To support this, we will be introducing the use of secure mobile phone pouches. These allow students to retain possession of their phone, while preventing access to it during the school day. The pouches are locked at the start of the day and unlocked at the end, ensuring that phones are not used during lessons, at break or lunchtime.
Pouches are now available to purchase on the Arbor shop. You will only be able to purchase one per student currently. We recommend if you have more than one child at the school that you go into the shop for one child, add a pouch to the basket and then repeat for your other children before continuing to the basket to pay. The school is subsidising the cost of the first pouch, with prices set at £8 for the first child and £5 for siblings. For families in receipt of Pupil Premium, pouches will be provided free of charge. If a pouch is lost or damaged, a replacement will need to be purchased at the full cost of £15.
If you do not wish your child to use a phone pouch, they will be required to leave their phone at home. In this instance, we ask that you complete the form on our webpage here https://southwirral.wirral.sch.uk/school-life/phone-free-school/
We have explored this approach carefully, including looking at practice in other schools and the positive impact this has had on students’ focus, mental health and wellbeing, as well as listening carefully to students, parents and carers who have requested solutions to the challenges phones bring.
We are planning to launch this with all year 7, 8 and 9 pupils on Monday 6th July. Please ensure you have completed the purchase of a pouch where necessary in advance of this date. We will share further information in due course.
For year 10 students we will launch it in September, you can purchase their pouches now and they will be distributed in September. We recognise that families may have questions and will ensure that clear communication continues as we move forward. We will keep a dedicated page on our website up to date with all key information https://southwirral.wirral.sch.uk/school-life/phone-free-school/
Thank you, as always, for your continued support in working with us to provide the very best environment for all of our students.
