BBCA pilot scheme aimed at restricting pupils from using their mobile phones during school hours has “transformed learning”, according to the school’s head teacher.
St Ronan’s College in Lurgan is one of nine schools to be provided with magnetic pouches as part of the pilot started by the Department of Education.
Fiona Kane, principal at St Ronan’s College, said the scheme has “transformed learning and teaching”.
The pilot which will aim to explore the benefits of a phone-free school day, began in September and will run until March 2026.
Speaking to Good Morning Ulster, Ms Kane said she has witnessed real change so far.
“Phones are a massive distraction during the day and there would have been incidents were pupils would have a sneaky look during lessons.”
Now, she says “teachers are telling me that pupils are more alert in class, more engaged and I’ve seen it myself”.
“I cannot wait to see the impact of all of this on oracy levels, better socialization and confidence.”
It does not stop with the pupils as Ms Kane claims “we’ve also had our our staff model that behaviour, so everybody is trying to put their phones away”.
‘Culture established’
“There have been a couple of minor breaches, maybe three out of 1,800 since the start of September.”
She added: “The culture is already established, it’s going really well and I can’t wait to see what the studies comes back with.”
An educational and academic evaluation will also take place in London between the Department of Education and Kings College, according to Ms Kane who said it “will look at the impact of the removal of mobile devices on three key areas, learning, behaviour and well-being”.
Of the nine schools involved St Ronan’s is the largest with 1800 pupils.
Pupils put their phones in a locked pouch at the start of school day so they can not access it in school hours.
There are some exceptions.
A small number of individuals have medical needs, like diabetes, which requires quick access to their phone.
Magnetic pouches work by locking the phone inside a fabric pocket which only a teacher would be able to unlock.
Earlier in the year 900 mobile cases were piloted by Victoria College Belfast for its pupils.
In March, Education Minister Paul Givan said: “Currently there are different policies across schools, however, in many cases there are challenges in implementing these policies.
“For the pilot scheme we wanted all of the participating schools to be implementing a consistent approach.”
The minister said the decision to fund the pilot will “help to support schools” and reduce the additional workload involved.
Givan first announced the idea in September 2024.
The nine schools participating in the pilot are:
- Glenlola Collegiate, Bangor
- Hazelwood Integrated College, Belfast
- St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast
- St Joseph’s Boys’, Londonderry
- St Fanchea’s College, Enniskillen
- St Ronan’s College, Lurgan
