Fidget Tools & Toys - Uphill Village Academy

17th March 2026

Fidget Tools & Toys

Dear Parents/Carers,
We have seen an increase in children bringing fidget tools and teddies from home into school. This is causing a disruption to learning in the classrooms, as they can cause a distraction to the individual and to other learners. In addition, when these tools & toys are lost or broken, children become upset or distressed.
Therefore, we kindly ask that no fidget tools or toys are brought in from home.
At Uphill Village Academy, our priority is to create calm, focused learning environments where every child can succeed.
We appreciate that some children will benefit from having a small fidget tool to help them concentrate, regulate their emotions, or remain engaged during learning. If this is the case, we will work with you and your child to ensure a suitable fidget toy is provided by school to support them.
What Are Fidget Tools Used For?
•Improve focus and attention
•Regulate movement without leaving their seat
•Reduce anxiety by giving hands something purposeful to do
•Engage more fully in whole‑class learning
•Manage sensory needs discreetly
They are tools for regulation, not toys for play.
How We Choose Fidget Tools
We use tools that are quiet, small, non‑distracting and purposeful. Examples include mesh‑and‑marble fidgets and fidget rings which we as a school can provide if we feel your child needs it. We avoid items that are bright, flashing, noisy, large or overly complex.
The pastoral team have a set of school‑approved fidget tools. This ensures consistency, fairness and suitability across the academy.
There is no need to bring fidget tools in from home and often they are not suitable for a child’s needs.
If a child brings in a fidget tool from home, they will be asked to hand them in to the school office, where it will be kept safe and can be collected at the end of the school day. We ask for your support on this matter.
Please remember, if you think your child needs a school approved fidget tool, please speak to your child’s class teacher or a member of the pastoral team. We are always happy to support our families.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Samantha Hodder
Principal