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. On19 June 2025, The Willink implemented 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 push it into the locked position when they arrive on-site each morning. At the end of the school day, multiple unlocking stations are strategically located in high-traffic areas to avoid delays and staff are present to oversee.

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

Who provides the Yondr Pouches?

The Willink is committed to creating a focused learning environment where students can learn without the distractions of mobile phones.

All students in Years 7 to 11 are required to have a Yondr pouch. Families can purchase a Yondr pouch at the subsidised price of £15 via our online payment system, Scopay.

Students will be issued with their Yondr pouch on their first day at The Willink and will keep the same pouch until the end of Year 11. Students are therefore expected to take responsibility for looking after their pouch.

If a pouch is lost or damaged, a replacement pouch can be purchased from the Finance Office at the unsubsidised price of £22.

 *Please note that the full cost of each Yondr pouch is approximately £22. 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.

Yondr at The Willink - Student Information Video

This informational video has been shared with students at school. It provides Willink students with a clear explanation of how we use Yondr pouches.
In the video, we walk through how to open and close a Yondr pouch, what items should be placed inside, and the routine for using the pouches when arriving at and leaving school. We also cover common "what if" scenarios to help students feel prepared and confident.

Supporting Documents

Further information can be found in the following documents, including our initial launch letter and FAQs:

Yondr Launch Letter - March 2025

Yondr Frequently Asked Questions

Updated September 2026