Timing: 6:00am-2:00pm
At École Vinet, a private school in French-speaking Switzerland, telephones are dropped off at the secretariat every morning and picked up at the end of the day. This simple rule improves concentration, protects mental health and limits school dropout, in a structured educational setting. Digital technology remains important, but it is used in a supervised way, in a digital education approach, so that students take advantage of the tools while remaining fully present in the classroom.
Without distraction, students become quieter and more attentive. They talk, laugh and share real moments together. These exchanges promote sociability, the patience And thecritical thinking. Social networks remain accessible outside, but at school, the balance between real and digital life is respected, contributing to a serene and safe school environment.
This approach is part of the current cantonal directive, which regulates the use of mobile phones during school time in establishments in the canton of Vaud. At École Vinet, this framework goes further : the smartphone ban is applied throughout the school day in order to protect concentration, mental health and quality of learning.
This educational choice, supported by the management and the teaching team, aims to offer students a clear and coherent educational framework, where the use of digital technology remains supervised and considered. The objective is not to ban technology, but to allow young people to build, learn and grow fully, without dependence on screens during school life.
First private school in Switzerland to receive this official accreditation, the Vinet school combines academic excellence and student well-being. Each school day promotes sharing, reflection and concentration, while preparing young people to meet real-world challenges, in accordance with the guidelines of public education in the canton of Vaud and the cantonal educational framework.
This accreditation is issued by the Phone Free Schools Movement, a international organization which supports schools in the implementation of educational policies without smartphones.
Its aim is to help schools create more serene learning environments, promoting concentration, well-being and human relationships.
Learn more about the movement: https://www.phonefreeschoolsmovement.org/
Every morning the phones are placed in a secure box. During the day, their use is strictly prohibited, except at noon for students who eat lunch off campus. The staff ensures compliance with the rules. If forgotten, the telephone is confiscated for one week and the student does not go out at noon.
The break times are punctuated by group games and physical activities : soccer, ping pong, chess, outdoor games. These extra-curricular activities allow students to expend energy, build relationships, and develop social and personal skills that are essential for their future lives, in a stimulating and human school environment.
Students are taking full advantage of their youth: Talk, laugh and share moments with friends. This contributes to creating strong relationships, to reduce certain situations of harassment and to improve concentration in the classroom. There is no educational reason to justify using a smartphone in the classroom. A phone-free school environment helps students grow, socialize, and develop independence in a structured and caring educational framework.
Discover in detail our pedagogical approach and talk to our team to find out more.
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At École Vinet, this framework goes further: the smartphone ban is applied throughout the school day in order to protect concentration, mental health and the quality of learning.