The Government is strengthening its existing rules surrounding mobile phones in schools
Schools should be “phone-free environments by default” the Government says(Image: Alamy/PA)
Andy Burnham’s government has introduced new guidance on how schools across the UK should manage their phone policies. It comes after the Department for Education (DfE) called on schools in England to operate as “mobile phone-free by default”.
The DfE is now set to issue strengthened guidance to encourage schools to adopt these phone-free policies, with new rules which will ensure that phones are inaccessible to pupils throughout the school day. The guidance sets out to allow children to learn away from distractions, the Government has said,
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said school was for learning and friendship “not scrolling” as she set out plans to encourage “truly phone-free” classrooms.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
Existing statutory DfE guidance, which came into effect in September 2026, calls for schools in England to operate as “mobile phone-free environments by default”, but it does not explicitly set out how they should enforce the ban.
Some schools use lockable pouches or secure storage for pupils’ phones, while others collect them at the start of the day or prohibit their students from taking phones onsite altogether.
While most schools set out that phones should be not seen and not heard, only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are followed all of the time, according to a DfE survey carried out in June.
The revised statutory Government mobile phone guidance, which is due to come into effect in September next year, will give schools more clarity on what approaches they can take
Headteachers’ unions have said additional funding will be needed if schools are required to implement more robust measures – like lockable pouches or secure storage – to keep phones away from pupils.
Ms Powell said: “Children should not be using smartphones at any point during the school day, full stop. That’s why we’re strengthening our guidance to take the next leap towards truly phone-free schools.
“Schools are already leading the way. We’re backing heads and teachers with a clear message for parents and pupils: school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Many schools already have restrictions on phones, but going beyond a ‘not seen, not heard’ approach comes at a cost. If schools are to implement some of the more robust measures suggested in this guidance, they will need access to additional funding and support.”
Don’t let an algorithm decide what Manchester news you see – click here to add the MEN as your preferred Google source
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “Schools will need time to develop a new policy that works in their setting. If all schools are going to be expected to have lockable pouches or other secure storage facilities for every pupil, the cost involved will be very significant indeed.
“This is not feasible unless the Government puts in the funding required to meet these costs.”
Dame Rachel de Souza, children’s commissioner for England, said: “I welcome strong action to stop phones distracting pupils and disrupting the school day. I know most headteachers already restrict phone use in their schools and I would like to see support for all heads to apply this important policy.”
Liberal Democrat schools spokesperson Caroline Voaden said: “Stronger guidance for schools on mobile phone use is a positive step – there is no place for phones during the school day.
“Liberal Democrats are clear that it should be up to headteachers to decide how they keep phones out of reach of pupils. This can obviously come at a cost, so the Government must ensure all schools have the necessary funding, rather than expecting schools to meet the cost when budgets are already stretched to breaking point.
“There must also be safeguards to ensure pupils with SEND needs or caring responsibilities still have access to a phone if they need one.”
