Phone Pouches
Dear parents/carers,
All students in Years 7-11 are expected to have a lockable phone pouch as part of their daily equipment and parents/carers are asked to purchase these via Parent Pay by Friday 18th September. I would like to thank those families who have purchased multiple pouches to support those in receipt of Pupil Premium Funding as unfortunately, the statutory guidance (Mobile phones in schools - GOV.UK) prohibiting students’ access to mobile phones whilst in school has come without additional funding. Following the parent/carer survey last academic year, the vast majority, 78%, supported passing on the cost of the phone pouches to our parents/carers and as we have already shared, you will receive a full refund at the end of your child’s time at Guilsborough, provided that the pouch is returned.
When will the lockable phone pouch system begin?
We are still anticipating that we will ‘go live’ on Monday 5th October. We await delivery of the pouches and equipment, which will subsequently need to be installed. We will also need to distribute the pouches to students, as well as use our ‘Guilsborough Way’ Registration programme to demonstrate how to use them and understand the new Academy routines.
What will the routine be for the phone pouch system?
Upon arrival to their tutor group, your child’s tutor will oversee them placing their phone into the pouch and locking it. This will be done as part of our normal daily equipment checks. Form Tutors will check a selection of pouches to ensure they are locked. Parents/carers who transport their child to school are reminded that the Academy’s first bell rings at 8:35am and students are expected to be present for then. The school gate will be closed from 8:40am each morning.
My child does not bring a mobile phone to school, why do they need to have a lockable phone pouch?
All students are expected to have a lockable phone pouch as part of their daily equipment so there is a consistent and uniform standard across the Academy. It would be impractical to operate a system whereby only some students had a phone pouch due the daily equipment check. This also caters for any changes to a family’s decision to allow their child to bring their mobile phone to school at any given point. For example, if there was a different circumstance to their usual afterschool routine and parents/carers wanted to have their child contactable.
Why can’t I see the option to purchase a phone pouch on Parent Pay?
Families in receipt of Pupil Premium funding will receive the phone pouch free of charge and therefore will not see the option to purchase one on Parent Pay. Should any families feel that they would like to purchase one, please contact accounts@guilsborough.northants.sch.uk who will make the necessary arrangements for you.
Guilsborough Academy
Phone Pouch Replacement Portal
If your child requires a replacement phone pouch, please use the Phone Pouch Replacement Portal using the QR code or web address below.
https://store.schoolphonepouch.co.uk/guilsborough
When will my child’s pouch be unlocked?
Pouches will be unlocked when students depart from the school site. It is quick process and multiple unlocking stations will be installed around the school site. Some key duty staff will also have handheld detachers to assist. Whilst the students become familiar with the system, we will inform the bus companies that their departure may take a little longer than usual.
What if my child forgets to unlock their pouch?
Student Reception will have an unlocking device should students forget to unlock their phone at the end of the day. Students arriving home with their phone still locked in the pouch will need to wait until the following afternoon to unlock the pouch.
What happens if a child forgets the pouch and leaves it at home?
If a child forgets their pouch and has brought their mobile phone to school, they will be expected to hand their mobile phone into Student Reception for safe keeping. Like any persistent breaches of the Academy’s expectations, this will result in sanctions via the Academy’s Positive Behaviour Policy.
What will be outcome if children breach policy? Eg they have decoy phone in pouch. What is policy on smart watches?
Where we suspect a child has not placed the correct phone in the pouch, the student will be spoken to and if found to be in a possession of a second phone, ear pods or smart watches will be placed initially into internal suspension (our Re-Engagement Room) and for persistent breaches of the Academy’s policy, increased sanctions will be applied. We will be updating and formalising our mobile phone policy over the next few weeks. We are keen that all our young people work with us and understand the benefits of being phone free during the day. We have seen a reduction in phone related issues over the past few years and this will ensure that such issues no longer occur while the young people are at school.
Does this only apply to smart phones?
The policy applies to all mobile devices.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to uphold an effective and positive learning environment for all our young people.
Yours sincerely,
Mr S Frazer
Principal