💰 PCC supports 30 schools with phone-free funding 📵

30 secondary schools across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes will receive a share of £254,000 from Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, to implement solutions to make their schools fully phone-free. 

Matthew said: “Creating phone-free environments in schools is not just about academic attainment; it supports safeguarding of our young people, reduces opportunities for anti-social behaviour and helps decrease the potential for young people to become involved in, or victims of, more serious crimes including exploitation. 

“We cannot eliminate the risk entirely - students will still have access to their phones outside of school hours - but limiting access during the school day will guarantee pupils a break from online pressures and exposures. 

“I'm delighted to be supporting 30 local secondary schools in implementing phone-free solutions.” 

The PCC launched the Phone Free Schools Fund in June with the aim of creating better learning environments for secondary school pupils.

Money for the Phone Free Schools Fund has been taken from criminals, funded by the sale of seized items that cannot be returned to their rightful owners. This money can only be used for community purposes and not for frontline policing. 

Schools will be able to procure their own secure storage solution, be that lockable pouches, lockers or boxes, with the stipulation that phones cannot be accessed during the school day (unless in the event of an emergency). This means that pupils can still use their phones when travelling to and from school, supporting safe travel. 

The first implementation will happen as early as the upcoming autumn term. 

For more information, and to see the full list of schools funded, click the link below 👇 

https://www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk/news/pcc-supports-30-schools-with-phone-free-funding/