Published
By Ashley Cox
With schools and academies across England now expected to prohibit mobile phone usage en masse, CPC is able to share some simple and compliant procurement solutions, supporting institutions soon in search of appropriate storage options.
In February, the Department for Education (DfE) published new guidance for England, outlining how “all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default” and “anything other than this should be by exception only” (read more here).
Expanding on this in April, the UK Government has since announced it would be introducing legislation to essentially ban smartphone use in all English schools, as achieved by way of an amendment to their Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
A 2026 UNESCO report has highlighted this approach as something of a global trend, with the number of education systems moving forward with such a ban climbing from 24% in mid-2023 to 58%, this spring, though it must be noted that Wales and Scotland will each remain responsible for their respective decisions and policies on this matter, in line with devolution powers.
England's guidance was deemed statutory on 29th June, to be followed from 1st September, as the new academic year begins.
So, how can England's schools and academies prepare to handle the matter of mobile/smart phone storage on their premises, particularly in an era where hundreds of app-packed devices are likely to be brought through the gates, each and every day?...
Introducing... lockable phone pouches
Lockable phone pouches present a new, innovative answer to disruptive mobile phone use, allowing institutions to successfully implement a 'mobile-free' classroom, while equally ensuring devices are close at hand, in the event of an emergency scenario.
A simple but smart concept allows pupils to lock their device away in a special pouch, after arriving at school, retaining them for the duration of the school day. The pouches themselves are fitted with a 'Faraday cage', blocking electromagnetic signals and thus preventing the use of cellular communications, allowing pupils to focus on their daily lessons and learning instead.
Staff can meanwhile access magnets to release the phones - at the end of the day, or to make an emergency call or message.
The pouches have already made an impact on the concert scene, where artists and/or venues have used them to eliminate the distractions often posed by camera photography, video messaging and recording. Performers ranging from Harry Styles to Bob Dylan have favoured the approach at recent gigs, prioritising presence, much as the intention would be in an education setting.
UK schools and academies keen to procure lockable phone pouches are now able to through Lot 1 of CPC's ICT Hardware and Peripherals Equipment purchasing framework, which caters too for charging carts, docking stations, storage trolleys and more.
Established in-house by Crescent Purchasing Consortium and available to non-education customers via Crescent Services, the framework not only provides an effective route to market for phone pouches and storage, it offers a multitude of desktop PC and portable device solutions, as well as a separate Apple lot, making it a choice resource for procurement of education tech.
One of our final frameworks established under Public Contract Regulations 2015, this agreement will run through to the end of January 2027, with a two-year extension option, allowing institutions ample time to explore the offerings of its vetted suppliers.
With its pre-assessed and approved providers reducing the time and effort needed to procure, an expansive selection of items is attainable via the framework, which is notably recommended to schools and to academies by the Department for Education.
Registered CPC members are advised to contact Procurement Manager, Jane Edwards (0161 823 1860), while Crescent Services customers can get in touch with the Procurement Customer Engagement Manager, Sharia Rahman (0161 553 0512) to discuss.
Looking for an alternative? Our Furniture & Associated Services framework can offer a compliant route to market for acquiring storage lockers, allowing pupils to keep their mobile devices safe and secure on site, and yet suitably out of sight, out of mind.
Another agreement recommended to schools and academies by the Department for Education, CPC members are encouraged to contact Senior Procurement Officer, Rezia Begum (0161 823 1858) with any specific questions or queries that they possess...
Thank you to the school that enquired about lockable phone pouches via the CPC Communicator, planting the seed for this article. Read on for more on the CPC Communicator - another free resource at the disposal of our membership community.