Heartwood Learning Trust are committed to creating learning environments where every student can thrive. Our young people are growing up in an increasingly complex online and offline world which presents many exciting opportunities, but also educational, emotional and social challenges.
Phone-free with Yondr!
In November 2025, the Heartwood Learning Trust launched the Yondr Phone-Free Schools Programme. This isn’t just about limiting screen time, it’s about giving students the space to think deeply, engage meaningfully, and thrive in an environment designed for their educational and personal growth.
For over a decade, Yondr has supported schools in more than 45 countries to build healthier and more engaging school cultures. Their lockable pouches combined with expert hands-on guidance and support has led to powerful results reported by school Principals:-
- 86% reported improved safety and student wellness
- 84% reported increased engagement in class
- 44% reported reduced behavioural sanctions
How the programme works
- Upon arrival at school
Students power off all personal technology including mobile phones and smart watches, place them in the Yondr pouch, this locked by staff. - During the day
All pouches are locked away, securely, until the end of the day. - Leaving the school site
Pouches are unlocked and possessions are returned to students.
This process is quick, simple, and will be supervised by staff as part of their daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Mobile phones
- Smartwatches
- Wireless earphones (e.g. AirPods)
- Other personal electronic devices which may be utilised to access mobile telephones during the school day
Please send an email to hello@com.hlt.academy and we will discuss next steps.
If a student is found in possession of a phone outside their pouch, it will be confiscated and a sanction based on the Trust Behaviour policy and the associated localised procedures will be issued.
Bag searches may be conducted if staff have concerns that a student has a mobile phone on them that hasn’t been placed into their pouch. This will be deemed as a prohibited item.
In an emergency, the priority is for students to follow school safety procedures under staff guidance. Unauthorised phone use during such situations may:-
- Delay emergency responses
- Spread misinformation
- Put students and staff at increased risk
- Disrupt coordinated safeguarding measures
Emergency communications will be managed via the school.