John Wallis Church of England Academy in Ashford wins Global Inclusion Award for positive impact of classroom phone ban

A Kent school that makes pupils lock their mobile phones away at the start of the day says the policy has sparked a 40% drop in serious behaviour issues.

Bosses at The John Wallis Church of England Academy in Ashford say online bullying has also reduced and students are much more engaged since the classroom ban was introduced last January.

And now the school has scooped a Global Inclusion Award for the positive impact the initiative has had on its pupils.

The policy was introduced to some opposition, although the majority of parents were supportive of the smartphone-free approach.

It sees pupils lock their phones in special pouches - manufactured by Yondr - when they arrive at school, preventing them from accessing them until the end of the day.

Bosses say the initiative is “designed not as a punishment, but as a way to give children back their childhood” without the distractions of social media.

And it says the results have been “transformative”, with improved attendance and behaviour, a dramatic drop in safeguarding incidents and pupils more engaged in lessons.

“Students are rediscovering real-world interactions, from playing chess and card games to having meaningful conversations with their peers,” the school adds.

A recent Year 7 survey found that just 11% of pupils miss their phones during the day, while more than half report improved concentration in lessons.

The school says the policy has also sparked a cultural shift beyond the school gates, with many parents noticing positive changes in their children’s behaviour at home, with reduced screen time and greater family engagement.

One parent, Emma Cuma, said: “I believe that Yondr pouches have had a huge positive impact on students and their academic performance.

“By removing the distraction of a mobile phone, I feel my son is more focused on learning.

“I also believe that by the children not having access to their mobile phones at break times this encourages face-to-face interaction and more physical activities.

“Overall, I believe that the Yondr pouches have been a huge success and welcomed by not only parents but students alike.”

The phone policy won the school a Global Inclusion Award from the International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners this month.

It recognises the academy’s commitment to “equity, wellbeing and student engagement”, highlighting the significant impact of the phone-free approach on pupils.

Head teacher Damian McBeath said: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. It is recognition of our collective efforts to address something which is becoming a significant issue in all schools.

“This isn’t just about banning phones—it’s about fostering a school culture where every child feels included, valued, and free to be themselves.

“We’re proud to lead the way in creating an environment that prioritises students’ wellbeing and learning.”

The initiative has also gained national attention, with students from the school even taking their experiences to Parliament, contributing to discussions on the regulation of smartphone use in schools.