Our Response to National Guidance (Updated 2026)

In February 2026, the Department for Education issued updated guidance stating that all schools should be mobile‑phone‑free environments by default. At Stratton School, we fully support this ambition and have listened carefully to our parent and carer community in shaping our approach.

Following our recent survey—where over 80% of families told us they would welcome stronger restrictions on mobile phones during the school day—we are introducing a clear and consistent phone‑free school system for all students in Years 7–11 from September 2026.

Our aim is simple: To create the healthiest, calmest and most focused learning environment for our students.

Why Phone‑Free?

Parents and carers shared with us a number of concerns:

• High levels of screen time
• Distraction during lessons
• Peer pressure and social comparison
• The impact of constant online connectivity on mental health and wellbeing
• Interrupted sleep, reduced attention span and the social challenges linked to smartphone overuse

Families also made clear that mobile phones remain important before and after school for safety, travel and communication. Our approach balances these needs while ensuring six and a half hours of healthy, uninterrupted learning time each day.

Introducing the Hush Pouch System

From September 2026, students may bring their phones to school, but they must be stored in a secure, locked Hush Pouch for the entire school day.

We have chosen this system because it has been successfully trialled across several Meridian Trust schools and has proven effective in:

• Creating calmer, more focused lessons
• Reducing social pressure and online conflict
• Encouraging more positive, face‑to‑face interactions at social times
• Supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing

Students keep their pouch with them at all times—but it remains locked until the end of the school day.

📱 About the Pouches

Do students buy the pouch?

The Hush pouch belongs to the school and is loaned to you for use during your time at Stratton School.  If you purposefully damage the case, lose it or graffiti it, you will be required to pay for a new one at a cost of £15.

When are pouches needed

Between the hours of 8:40 and 3:10, Monday – Friday

What if my child loses their pouch?

Replacement pouches cost £15 and can be ordered through the MCAS app. Financial support is available for students receiving Pupil Premium. The lost pouch will be added to the MCAS account and you will be informed in writing as well. Students will be issued a replacement pouch immediately to ensure the system continues to operate as intended

Is the school responsible if a device is damaged inside the pouch?

No. Pouches are padded and protect phones during normal school use. Students remain responsible for their devices. It is recommended that the phone is powered off when in the pouch, to conserve battery health.

Can the pouch be used at home?

Yes, if parents want to lock phones away for any reason at home, but please remember, it cannot be unlocked until students return to school.

What if the pouch gets wet?

It is water‑repellent and fine with spills, but not fully waterproof—so some care is still needed.

🏫 Using the Pouches

How does the system work at the start of the day?

Students unlock their pouch at the front of school, place their phone inside, and lock it before entering the site.

What happens at the end of the day?

Unlocking stations are be located:

• At the front of school
• In the playground
• By the community door/ PE exit
• Music Centre
• Main Office

Will my child miss their bus?

No. Other schools using pouches report no issues. We will have multiple unlocking stations to keep queues moving.

What if my child forgets to unlock their pouch?

The site is open until 4pm. They can return to unlock it, or wait until the next day. We have been told from other schools that this rarely happens!

What if my child doesn’t bring a phone to school?

They will still be issued a pouch, which should remain in their school bag.

What is my child forgets their pouch?

If students forget their  pouch they will be provided a loan pouch for the day. They can collect this from their house hub. Failure to bring your pouch to school will result in a  remind  added to MCAS 

⏱️ Arriving Late / Leaving School

What if my child arrives late due to an appointment?

Reception has an unlocking station so students can secure their phone when they sign in.

What if my child needs to leave school during the day?

Reception will unlock the pouch before they leave.

🩺 Medical Needs

What if my child needs their phone for a medical condition (e.g., diabetes)?

Students with a verified medical need requiring  a smart device to monitor health (for example blood sugar, heart rate output) will receive a Velcro medical pouch which will also have a green medical symbol printed on the pouch. Use will be permitted for medical needs, but evidence will be required from a medical professional.

📞 Communication During the School Day

How can I contact my child?

Your child’s SSA is the first point of contact. If unavailable, reception will pass a message to the House Team. Parents are reminded that direct phone contact during the school day to a student device is not (has never been) part of the school policy.

How will my child contact me in an emergency?

As they do currently - Students can visit their House Office Hub or Main Reception. These are open throughout the day, including breaks and lunch.

📵 Rules and Consequences

What happens if a mobile phone is seen outside the pouch?

If a mobile phone is confiscated, it will be held in school for three full school days. For example, a phone confiscated on a Friday will be returned to the student on Wednesday at 3:10pm. This approach is in line with other schools within our Trust. While some schools locally and nationally apply longer or more severe sanctions, we believe this is a proportionate and appropriate response. Parents will be informed whenever a confiscation occurs.

Our intention is not to focus on the sanction itself, but rather on the important benefits of reducing access to phones and screen time during the school day, allowing students to remain fully engaged in their learning over a sustained period.

What if a child brings two phones?

There is no reason for this. Any phone seen will be confiscated.

Do schools have the right to confiscate phones?

Yes. This is supported by Department for Education guidance on Searching, Screening and Confiscation.

Searching, Screening and Confiscation

🔍 Checks and Safeguarding

Will staff check what is in the pouches?

Yes. Spot checks will be carried out by trained staff, in line with national guidance. Searching, Screening and Confiscation

If a phone is found, we will apply the consequences for failing to adhere to the policy as noted above. Any further non-compliance will be escalated in line with our Conduct Policy.

🎒 Clubs, Activities & Daily Life

What if my child attends an after‑school club at Stratton School?

They will unlock their pouch after the club ends.

What if my child attends an after‑school away fixture?

They will unlock their pouch as they leave school on their way to the fixture. This is to ensure students can contact families when they are on their way back/ coordinate collection.

What if my child attends a school trip and will be back before the end of the school day

They will unlock their pouch after the trip ends, with everyone else at 3:10

What if my child attends a school trip and will be back after the end of the school day

This will be assessed on a case by case basis. We do agree that phones are a necessity to support risk assessments for students on trips such as Thorpe Park, where communication with the school trip lead, via the trip phone is needed. A phone usage statement will be included in all trip correspondence.

Will staff help students who struggle with coordination?

Yes. Staff are always on duty at the start and end of the day to support students.

What if a student arrives without their pouch?

They will collect a temporary pouch from their House Office. This will be treated like forgetting PE kit or homework and a REMIND will be logged on MCAS.

📊 How We Will Measure Success

We will monitor:

• Reduced phone confiscations
• Improved focus and engagement in lessons
• Student and staff survey feedback
• Day‑to‑day observations of behaviour and social interactions