Yondr Pouches

At The Willink, we strive to fulfil our vision: “All students flourish and achieve their full academic and personal potential. They are confident, respectful, and resilient global citizens with the knowledge and skills to be successful in the 21st Century.”

We have invested in an important initiative which supports our students' well-being, enhances their learning experience, and strengthens our values of Engage, Respect, and Achieve. From June 2025 (Term 6), we will implement Yondr pouches for students in Years 7–11, making The Willink a fully device-free school for students during the working day.

This initiative builds on our existing mobile phone policy and reflects our commitment to tackling the challenges posed by smart devices and social media. By securely locking their devices in tamper-proof Yondr pouches, students will experience fewer distractions, improved focus in lessons, and stronger social interactions. Students will retain their pouches throughout the school day and unlock their devices only at the end of the day.

What is the aim of this scheme?

Our vision is to “ensure that all students flourish and achieve their full academic and personal potential. They are confident, respectful, and resilient global citizens with the knowledge and skills to be successful in the 21^st Century.” The Yondr pouch initiative supports us in achieving this vision. As a “device-free school,” we are addressing the negative impact of mobile devices on mental health, concentration, and social interactions. We are committed to fostering an environment where every student can fully engage, show respect, and achieve their potential – our values are at the heart of everything that we do.

 This policy aligns with Department for Education’s acknowledgement of the negative impact mobile phones can have on students’ mental health, focus and overall well-being during the school day. The Department for Education endorses schools such as The Willink adopting measures as we are. Teenagers report that mobile phone usage and social media are common sources of anxiety, can lead to sleep disturbance and disengagement from school. A recent study by The University of Cambridge showed that 48% of British teenagers feel addicted to social media.  We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting students, and families, to combat this.

Together, we are creating a school community where every learner feels supported to engage, respect and achieve their best.

About Yondr Pouches

Yondr pouches are lightweight and compact, made from slightly padded material. They fit easily into bags. Accidental spills are not an issue as the pouch is water-repellent. However, it is not entirely waterproof so care should still be taken.

Mobile phones, smartwatches, and ear pods must be secured in the pouch. Each pouch features a secure locking pin at the top. Students will push it into the locked position when they arrive on-site each morning. At the end of the school day, multiple unlocking stations will be strategically located in high-traffic areas to avoid delays and staff will be present to oversee.

Please see our Yondr Frequently Asked Questions document for further information.

Who provides the Yondr Pouches?

The Willink has invested in Yondr pouches for all students in Years 7 to 11 as part of our commitment to creating a focused learning environment. To ensure a consistent experience for all students and to remove any potential financial barriers, The Willink is pleased to provide Yondr pouches to families at no cost. Students are expected to take care of their pouch during their time at The Willink. If a pouch is damaged or lost, families will be charged a replacement fee. This ensures all students can continue benefiting from the initiative.

 *Please note that the cost of each Yondr pouch is £20. If you would like to make a donation to The Willink Charitable Trust in support of important initiatives such as this then you can do so here.

Supporting Documents

Further information can be found in the following documents:

Yondr Launch Letter - March 2025

Yondr Frequently Asked Questions