A Northampton school is set to introduce lockable phone pouches for students to help create a distraction-free environment, thanks to funding provided by the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Commissioner Danielle Stone has awarded 4,500 pounds to the Wootton Park Academy Trust to support its project aimed at removing mobile phones from the classroom. The funding, which comes from the Safe and Sound Communities Fund, will provide 900 lockable pouches for students aged 11 to 16. While students will be able to carry the pouches with them during the day, they will be unable to access their devices until the end of the school day.
The move follows research conducted by the school into local opinion on mobile phones in educational settings. This initiative also aligns with government guidance updated in January 2026, which states that schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default.
Similar projects elsewhere, such as a county-wide rollout in Cheshire, have reported positive outcomes. Schools that have implemented these pouches have noted improved student concentration and behaviour, as well as higher participation in school clubs and activities.
The Phone Free Education campaign, founded by Esther Ghey, has been a driving force behind the national push for phone-free schools. This latest investment in Northampton is part of the Commissioner’s broader efforts to prioritise the wellbeing of young people and prevent harm within the community.
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