BBC News: How Hush Pouch Is Supporting Phone-Free Schools

'We've seen huge benefits since banning mobiles'

Featured in a BBC News report, Hush Pouch is helping schools create distraction-free environments by securely limiting phone access during the day—without removing devices from students.

Hush Pouch was featured on BBC News, as part of a report exploring the growing movement towards phone-free schools.

“Huge benefits” from removing mobile distractions

The BBC report focused on The Netherhall School in Cambridge, where students have been unable to access their phones during the school day since the start of the academic year.

According to Principal Chris Tooley, the impact has been clear: “We’ve seen huge benefits… students can concentrate fully on their learning.”

Teachers also reported noticeable improvements in focus, with fewer distractions from notifications and less temptation for students to check their devices during lessons.

Improving focus, behaviour and social interaction

The shift hasn’t just impacted learning—it’s changed how students interact.

Staff highlighted that students are now:

• More engaged in lessons

• Less distracted by notifications

• Spending more time speaking with each other

As Tooley explained: “Students speaking with each other and attending clubs… it’s made it all worthwhile.”

Students themselves echoed this. One pupil noted: “There’s no distractions anymore… it’s nice not having that in the background.”

Another added that lessons are now more social and focused, with fewer people using phones during class.

A structured, practical approach

As shown in the BBC coverage, students place their phones into lockable pouches at the start of each day and cannot access them until the end.

This approach:

• Removes the need for constant enforcement

• Eliminates notification distractions entirely

• Allows students to keep possession of their devices

Importantly, the school described the investment in pouches as “money well spent”, particularly given the safeguarding and educational benefits.

Part of a wider national conversation

The feature comes at a time when mobile phone use in schools is under increasing scrutiny across the UK.

Government guidance now encourages schools to be phone-free during the day, while ongoing discussions continue around stricter national policies.

At the same time, research highlighted in the report suggests that while bans improve focus and face-to-face interaction in school, they are not a “silver bullet” and must be part of a balanced approach.

Proud to be part of the solution

We’re proud to see Hush Pouch featured as part of this important national conversation.

Schools are navigating new challenges around technology, distraction, and student wellbeing—and it’s clear that practical, effective solutions are needed.

As highlighted on BBC News, when implemented well, structured phone-free systems can have a meaningful impact on both learning and social development.