Ashford school to make students lock their phones in pouches

A school in Kent is planning to make students put their mobile phones in a locked pouch during the day.

The John Wallis Academy in Ashford will introduce the measure in the new year.

Principal Damian McBeath explained that he hoped the rule would limit disruptions in the school and help with safeguarding.

Mr McBeath said he thought the academy would be the first school in Kent to use the pouches.

He said: "It's an issue that all schools are facing and trying to tackle and I think what we have found with the pouches is a way of not taking phones off students, because I think it is important that we educate children about the use of phones."

Every student will need to place their phone inside a pouch as they enter the school before it is magnetically locked and checked.

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07/12/23Ashford school to make students lock their phones in pouches

A school in Kent is planning to make students put their mobile phones in a locked pouch during the day. The John Wallis Academy in Ashford will introduce the measure in the new year. Principal Damian McBeath explained that he hoped the rule would limit disruptions in the school and help with safeguarding. Mr McBeath said he thought the academy would be the first school in Kent to use the pouches.

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