THE SCHOOLAureus School in Didcot is a secondary Academy (part of GLF Schools Foundation Multi-academy Trust), with 589 pupils aged 11-16.  

THE PROBLEMBehaviour
Ofsted had deemed the behaviour of students as “disrespectful and disruptive” during an inspection in 2022. 

Distraction
Students were feeling extreme pressure to be updating their social media feeds and responding to notifications during school hours. They were distracted during lessons, or truanting lessons in order to respond to others. 

Extreme content
Children were being exposed to unmonitored content which could cause distress. 


THE ACTIONInitially, when Headteacher Kirsty Rogers joined the school in 2023, she implemented a “See it, Hear it, Lose it” policy for mobile phones. If phones were seen or heard, they were confiscated until the end of the day. Whilst this was very effective in the first instance, the temptation to use devices was still strong and the school was seeing many students choosing to go to the toilet when they should have been in lessons. In September 2024 the school decided to implement Yondr pouches to increase the success of the policy. Students are now expected to put their phone into a locked pouch for the school day. Students are still responsible for their mobile phones, they remain in their bags, switched off and locked away until the end of the day when they can be unlocked at one of the many unlocking stations. 

THE IMPACTTruancy has reduced. There has been a 48% reduction in truancy since this time last year. There has also been a significant reduction in students requesting to go to the toilet during lessons.  

Social interactions are more positive and a reduction in cyber bullying. The school is noticing there are less reports of cyber bullying, and social times feel calmer. Students have commented that they find it easier to engage with their peers now. 

Concentration in lessons has improved. Staff have noted that students are more focussed in lessons and are able to engage better in the big thinking. 




“I was really noticing the impact these phones were having on children’s mental health. The number of notifications they’re getting. The need to respond to things. The pressure to delete posts if they don’t get enough likes. It’s having a huge impact on the way they perceive themselves. They need to get “likes” to feel like they have a place in the world. But now, we are already starting to see students not bringing their phones to school at all. They say there’s no point, because they’re not allowed. It’s had a hugely positive impact.”

Kirsty Rogers, Headteacher, Aureus School



KEY INFORMATION  Local authority
Oxfordshire 

Policy
 Smartphones put in Yondr pouches for the school day. 

Date policy implemented
September 2024

Pupil demographics 
Number of pupils: 589
Age-range: 11-16
Pupils eligible for free school meals: 31.2%
English as an additional language: 16.0%





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