A school in Kent is planning to make students put their mobile phones in a locked pouch during the day.

The John Wallis Academy in Ashford will introduce the measure in the new year.

Principal Damian McBeath explained that he hoped the rule would limit disruptions in the school and help with safeguarding.

Mr McBeath said he thought the academy would be the first school in Kent to use the pouches.

He said: "It's an issue that all schools are facing and trying to tackle and I think what we have found with the pouches is a way of not taking phones off students, because I think it is important that we educate children about the use of phones."

Every student will need to place their phone inside a pouch as they enter the school before it is magnetically locked and checked.

Read more...


Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.


20/11/24Medway education leader and head of Rivermead Inclusive Trust receives OBE from Prince William

An education boss, who left school without any basic qualifications and worked as a hospital cleaner to fund her teacher training, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Tina Lovey, who rose through the ranks and is now the boss of a thriving academy trust with schools across Medway, was awarded an OBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle.

19/11/24Special Educational Needs system 'has burst'

Children with complex needs are being sent to private schools up to 200 miles away from home because there is not enough capacity in the state system, a BBC investigation has found. Councils struggling to cope with an unprecedented number of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are increasingly reliant upon private providers. Headteachers say funding from government has not kept pace with soaring demand, meaning both mainstream and special schools are struggling to cope.

13/11/24‘Excessive’ 20 hours mentor training requirement scrapped

The government will also launch a new re-accreditation round for initial teacher training providers in spring

12/11/24Majority of parents not deterred by fines for term-time family holidays – survey

The Government should review the marketing and pricing of ‘rip-off’ family holidays, according to Parentkind charity.

11/11/24Anti-Bullying Week 2024: Choose Respect

Anti-Bullying Week 2024 will take place from Monday 11th - Friday 15th November, with the theme: Choose Respect.