Bolton school asks parents to help fund phone-locking pouches after government gives no extra money
St Joseph's RC High in Horwich needs £1,300 for secure pouches at £5 each as new rules make phone-free schools a legal requirement, but headteacher Tony McCabe says "no additional funding has been provided."
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A Bolton secondary school has launched a GoFundMe page to raise £1,300 for mobile phone locking pouches after new government rules made phone-free environments a legal requirement, with no extra funding provided to schools.
St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich wants to introduce the secure pouches by September. Each one costs £5 and keeps the phone locked inside a pupil's bag until they unlock it using a device at the school gates at home time. Pupils with verified medical needs such as diabetes will keep access to their phones.
The pouches are widely considered the most effective solution, as no time is spent collecting and distributing phones and each child keeps their device on them throughout the day.
Why is the school fundraising?
Headteacher Tony McCabe said: "While the guidance is clear in its intent, it does not prescribe a single method of implementation, beyond the expectation that devices should not be seen or heard during the school day. Importantly, no additional funding has been provided to schools to support the introduction of systems or infrastructure required to meet these expectations."
He added: "We want to nurture young people who have time to think, to imagine, to develop creativity, to build meaningful social relationships, and to engage fully with the world around them."
In a social media post, McCabe said the pouches would reduce distractions during lessons, ensure fairness with everyone following the same expectations, and support wellbeing by "encouraging students to be present, engage with each other, and take a break from continuous screen use."
What has the reaction been?
Not everyone has responded positively. One critic said: "Expecting children to carry the burden of ensuring compliance because the school has not yet implemented its chosen solution is not an acceptable approach. The duty to provide a compliant, enforceable system lies with the school."
Another parent said they would rather their child have the ability to contact them if needed.
But others backed the school. One wrote: "All they have to do is turn off their phone at the start of the school day and put them in their bags. How hard is that?"
McCabe told the MEN that much of the criticism appeared to come from outside the school community. He pointed to the "powerful advocacy" of Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was murdered by two teenagers in Warrington in 2023, in raising awareness about mobile technology risks. Ghey's work alongside Cheshire Police contributed to a tendering framework allowing schools to access the pouches at a cheaper rate.
Schools already using the Yondr pouches include Stockport Grammar School and Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the school raising money for phone pouches?
- New government rules require schools to enforce phone-free environments, but no extra funding has been provided to purchase the necessary locking equipment.
- How much do the phone pouches cost?
- The pouches cost £5 per student, and St Joseph's RC High School is aiming to raise £1,300 in total to cover the expenses.
- Will all students be forced to lock their phones away?
- Most students will need to use the secure pouches, but exemptions will be made for pupils with verified medical needs, such as diabetes.