Three Outwood schools set to strengthen phone-free commitment with new Yondr partnership

Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) has announced a partnership with Yondr to strengthen its stance as a phone-free school by introducing a structured, whole-school approach to managing smartphone use throughout the school day.

From October, pupils at three schools (Outwood Academy Carlton in Barnsley, Outwood Academy Normanby in Middlesbrough and Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield) will keep their phones secured in lockable pouches from arrival through to the end of the day, enabling them to fully engage in learning, social interaction and wider school life without distraction.

This initiative reflects the Outwood Family of Schools’ commitment to providing a happy, focused and inclusive learning environment for all pupils, while reducing the burden on staff to manage phone use.

Cara Ackroyd, executive principal at OGAT, said:

“Our schools have always been phone-free environments, but in line with the latest Department for Education guidance, we are strengthening our approach. We wanted a clear, consistent solution that works seamlessly across our whole school community, for staff, pupils, and parents alike.

“Partnering with Yondr allows us to reinforce our existing expectations with a practical, unified system. Our aim remains simple: to maintain a focused environment where pupils can participate fully in lessons, build stronger relationships with those around them, and stay safe.

“By removing digital distractions during the school day, we are giving pupils the space to be present, engage deeply, and thrive, while allowing our teachers to focus on teaching.”

Yondr supports more than three million pupils globally through a structured approach in which pupils retain possession of their phones, secured in pouches throughout the day. The model has been adopted across the UK, Europe and the United States, with schools reporting improvements in classroom focus, behaviour, and pupil and teacher wellbeing, as well as reduced disruption during lessons.

For Outwood, strengthening its phone-free environment is part of a wider commitment to supporting wellbeing, raising attainment and promoting face-to-face social interaction. The schools will also continue to support pupils and families in developing balanced and responsible approaches to technology use.

Ahead of implementation, the schools have worked closely with parents and carers by running information sessions to ensure a smooth and supportive transition.