# Phone-pouch pilot: evaluation report

Prepared by Hollis Tran, Office of the Deputy CEO, Marlowe Vale Academy Trust
17 July 2026

## 1. Background
From September 2025 pupils at two of our nine secondary schools, Ashcombe School and Fenwick Park School, have locked their phones in a magnetic pouch at morning registration and unlocked them at the gate at the end of the day. The other seven schools kept the existing "off and in your bag" rule.

## 2. Behaviour
Behaviour incidents fell at both pilot schools over the pilot year. This is in line with evidence from other schools, which shows a 40% reduction in behaviour incidents after pouches are introduced.

Phone confiscations dropped sharply at both schools.

## 3. Staff view
A focus group of teachers was positive overall. Staff reported fewer confrontations in lessons.

## 4. Parents
Parents are strongly supportive. 58% of respondents support continuing the scheme. The response rate was 47% (1,140 responses from 3,050 households).

## 5. Attainment
Summer 2026 exam results had not been analysed at the time of writing.

## 6. Cost
Year-one cost was £25.40 per pupil, including replacement of the 11% of pouches lost or damaged during the year.

## 7. Recommendation
Roll out to all nine schools from January 2027.