Smartphones are now officially banned in schools across the UK, but teachers are divided on the best way to enforce the new rules. For the first time, schools are legally required to have policies in place to limit children's access to mobile phones during the school day. Starting from 1 September, this new government guidance means every school must develop a plan to manage phone use. However, the debate continues over which method is most effective in achieving this goal. Some schools have adopted a "no see no hear" policy, asking students to keep their phones out of sight and earshot during the day. Others have invested in specially designed pouches, like those made by Yondr, which use strong magnets to lock phones securely. These pouches are typically sealed at the school gates and cost between £20 and £25 each. A few schools have taken a stricter approach, asking parents to only send children to school with "brickphones"—basic phones without internet or social media access. At Manor High School in Leicestershire, Deputy Head Helen Newbery said the school had used a "no see no hear" policy for years, but the new legal guidance encouraged them to introduce Yondr pouches this academic year. The school invested its own funds to buy pouches for nearly 1,000 students. Newbery said the change involved long conversations with students to explain the reasons behind the policy. She believes the effort has paid off, with students spending less time on their phones and showing improved focus in class. At Putney High School in London, students in years up to year 8 are not allowed to bring smartphones to school at all. Older students use Yondr pouches to lock their phones during the day. The school introduced this policy in September 2024 after extensive discussions with students. While there were initial challenges, such as some students trying to damage the pouches or use dummy phones, teachers say the policy has now been widely accepted. Staff report fewer classroom disruptions and more social interaction among students. However, not all educators support the use of phone pouches. Guy Holder, a teacher in southwest London, calls them a "scandalous" waste of money. He prefers brickphone-only policies, which he says reduce pressure on parents who worry about isolating their children by not giving them smartphones. A Yondr spokesperson defended the cost, stating that the pouches provide a simple, consistent routine and that the price reflects over a decade of product development. The Department for Education said the policy aims to restore childhood by reducing phone use and increasing time for learning and play.