St George’s Ascot Deputy Head (Pastoral) Helen Simpson on how the school is embracing the digital age to give pupils tools for learning and for life
‘So, how do we handle tech use at school these days?’ That’s a question I get asked a lot. The truth is, it all comes down to balance. Here at St George’s School, Ascot, we’re committed to developing confident, capable, and connected young women who can navigate the digital world thoughtfully and knowledgeably – so we need to get this right.
We have made some bold changes. One of the biggest has been introducing Yondr mobile device pouches, aligning with recent government policy on mobile phone use in schools. Since September 2024, we’ve been completely phone-free from Years 7 to 11, with pupils’ phones securely locked away during the school day. Our older girls, in Years 9 to 11, take charge of their own devices, keeping them locked in the pouches until the final bell. This more structured approach ensures that mobile phones stay out of sight and out of mind, allowing pupils to focus on their learning and personal development without digital distractions.
We know excessive screen time can affect focus, sleep and mental health, and we wanted to tackle that head-on. We also know that we’re not alone in our views. A recent University of Cambridge study reveals nearly half of British teens feel they are ‘hooked’ on social media. Our experience following this chosen approach is that the girls have embraced the change with maturity. They are more engaged, friendships have greater space to flourish, and the school day feels simpler.
We certainly do not think that digital wellness is all about locking away phones and turning back the clock. At St George’s our approach is future focused. We are preparing our girls to navigate and thrive in a tech-driven world. Embracing technology thoughtfully is key to this vision. As our Learning Innovation Lead Elodie Pierre puts it: “When used intentionally, we see that AI can elevate education by enhancing the human connection and critical thinking that our teachers bring to the classroom every day”.
This belief underpins our Academic Management Innovation Exploration Plan (yes, even the name sounds like it came from AI). In fact, it’s a roadmap for equipping our teaching staff with effective measures to integrate AI effectively into the curriculum. We already ensure that digital skills are taught alongside digital wellness within our PSHE programme, so our girls don’t just use technology but develop a lifelong, balanced relationship with it. We’re not just reacting to the digital age – our vision is to shape how it fits into education and life.
This approach recognises that while technology offers remarkable educational opportunities, it must be managed with care and intention. Teenagers today face unprecedented pressures from social media and constant connectivity. Our role as educators extends to guiding them in developing healthy relationships with technology, whether through innovative solutions like Yondr pouches or by fostering open discussions about AI and digital literacy.
At St George’s, we remain committed to setting a national example for digital wellness in education. Our approach, which is grounded in research, empathy, and innovation, ensures our students not only excel academically but also develop the resilience and digital wisdom essential for life beyond the classroom.
We take immense pride in leading the charge toward healthier digital habits, emphasising the importance of conscientious and balanced technology use among pupils and staff alike. Our mission goes beyond academic excellence, empowering our girls to thrive in, and understand, an increasingly digital landscape.
St George’s Ascot stgeorges-ascot.org.uk
Further reading: Queen’s Gate School on the importance of teaching bragging rights
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