“Amongst the students there’s a sense of more calm.”
Peter Cogavin, Assistant Head
Classroom Disruption and Disconnection
École Jeannine Manuel is an international, bilingual school with campuses in Paris and Lille, renowned for its innovative approach to education. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, cultural diversity, and preparing students to become global citizens, the school consistently ranks among the best in France.
At École Jeannine Manuel, teachers were noticing how smartphones were increasingly disrupting lessons. Students were tempted to check messages, social media, and games, which broke concentration and made it harder for them to stay engaged in class. Beyond distraction, phones were also limiting face-to-face interaction and reducing the sense of community at break times.
Research confirms these concerns, with phone usage more than just inconvenient; it can be detrimental. One study found that 73% of school leaders report negative effects on students’ attention spans, 72% note it harms mental health, and 53 % link it to declining academic performance. Other findings show mobile distractions consume result in lower exam scores, and excessive screen time also dampens face-to-face social interaction.
Focus and Connection Restored
To address these common issues, the school turned to Phone Locker™ pouches. Each student places their phone into a pouch at the start of the day, locking it until school finishes. The system is simple, secure, and prevents students from accessing their phones during lessons, while still keeping them in possession of their devices.
Teachers have reported a calmer, more attentive classroom environment, where students are more present and engaged in their learning. Break times have also transformed — with students talking, playing, and connecting more with one another instead of retreating into their screens. Phone Locker™ pouches have become a practical tool to support both learning and wellbeing across the school community.
“The implementation was straightforward.”
Roz Unwin – Co-Ordinator of English
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