At Bourne Education Trust, we're driving the development of future-focused, digitally enabled learning. Our digital strategy aims to transform education across our schools - creating more inclusive, forward-thinking experiences through better-connected ways of working. We believe in equipping students not just with knowledge, but with the digital skills and confidence they'll need in an increasingly tech-driven world.
However, we are equally clear about the importance of balance. While we embrace the benefits that educational technology can bring - enhancing learning, supporting collaboration and improving resource access - we also recognise that not all forms of technology use are beneficial in the school environment.
Our stance on mobile phones
Mobile phones are woven into young people's lives, but during school hours they often distract from learning, hinder face-to-face connections and can negatively impact wellbeing. That's why we've adopted a consistent approach across our Trust: mobile phones simply aren't permitted during the school day.
Our policy is clear and simple, but we also recognise that implementation matters. Across our family of schools, we use a range of practical approaches to support this policy:
Lockers: In many of our schools, students store their phones in personal lockers until home time
Magnetic pouches: Some of our schools are trialling the use of a secure pouch system that allows students to keep their phone on them - but locked away during the day. When students arrive at school, their phone is placed in a magnetic pouch and locked using a simple device. The pouch remains sealed and in their possession throughout the day and is unlocked as they leave the school premises - striking a balance between personal responsibility and the need for a phone-free learning environment
Out of sight, out of mind: This straightforward method helps remove the temptation to check devices, reduces anxiety linked to social media and reinforces a calm, focused atmosphere for learning.
It's all about balance
‘Our digital learning strategy is about much more than devices - it's about changing how we teach, how students learn and how we connect across our schools and at home. But this doesn't mean unrestricted tech access. By creating clear boundaries around mobile phone use, we're helping our students stay focused, feel safer and engage more deeply in their learning. It's about purposeful technology use, not constant connectivity.’ – Penny Alford, Deputy CEO
A responsible, digital future
Our approach reflects our commitment to creating the best possible environment for learning and wellbeing. We want our students to be digitally confident, critically aware and able to use technology purposefully - but we also want them to have time to disconnect, build relationships and focus fully on the learning that takes place in school.
By fostering a healthy relationship with technology and drawing a clear line between digital learning and distractions of social media, we're preparing our students for the future - responsibly, thoughtfully and together.