00:00A school in Sevenoaks is pressing pause on phones and play on real life.
00:05At the start of this academic year, Trinity School introduced a new rule, no smartphones allowed during the day.
00:12Every morning, students place their phones into small magnetic pouches, similar to security tags, which lock automatically.
00:20The pouches are kept by the school and can only be unlocked once the day ends.
00:24The aim is simple, to reduce distractions and actively encourage students to engage with the present.
00:31Assistant Headteacher Mr Richardson has said the results so far have been positive.
00:36We've definitely seen an improvement in the amount of reports to do with mobile phones.
00:41I'm a safeguarding lead here at the school and we've seen a decline in the amount of disclosures to do with maybe online bullying or cyberbullying or group chats.
00:51We still get a few happening, maybe in the evenings or the weekends, which have a knock-on effect and end up coming into school and we still deal with those in the right way.
00:58But we're not dealing with any that are happening during the school day.
01:02While some students were unsure at first, many now say they are enjoying school life more without the constant buzz of notifications.
01:09I think at first it was a lot of adjustment because everyone was absolutely furious.
01:14But then it changed and now it's quite unnoticeable. You just walk in, put your phone in your pouch and at the end of the day you get it.
01:20I'm for it. I think it's just going to keep improving. Each year it's about and present.
01:27The initiative has also received praise from local MP Laura Trott, who visited the school and encourages others to follow in Trinity's lead.
01:36She said it was great on a recent visit to speak with headteacher Matt Pawson and pupils to hear about the positive impact this change is already having.
01:45Particularly at break times, where children are now chatting and playing together rather than scrolling through their screens.
01:52A huge well done to Matt and his team.
01:55By putting their phones on silent, Trinity students are turning up the volume on learning and friendships.
02:00Maisie Walker for KNTV, Sevenoaks.
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