Millions of pupils across England will be unable to access their mobile phones during the school day from Monday, as a new law comes into force. From June 29, Section 36 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will officially take effect, making schools and academy trusts legally responsible for ensuring pupils do not have access to smartphones or similar smart devices throughout the school day.
Legal Force for Existing Practices
The Government said the legislation gives "legal force to what schools are already doing in practice", with headteachers now legally required to follow guidance stating schools should be smartphone-free by default. Earlier this year, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson wrote to headteachers, urging them to follow Government guidance stating that "all schools should be smartphone-free environments by default". That guidance now has the force of law under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.
Scope of the Ban
The rules apply throughout the entire school day, including during lessons, between classes, at breaktimes and lunchtime. They also extend beyond smartphones to include smartwatches and other communication devices capable of receiving notifications or text messages. The new legislation does not necessarily stop pupils from bringing phones to school, but schools must ensure they cannot access them during the day.
Enforcement and Inspection
Ofsted inspectors will formally check whether schools have a clear mobile phone policy and are consistently enforcing it. Schools will still be able to decide how they implement the restrictions. Measures could include banning phones on school premises altogether, requiring pupils to hand over devices at the start of the day, storing them in lockers or secure pouches, or allowing pupils to keep them provided they remain switched off and out of sight. Some schools also operate "no see, no hear" policies, while others have introduced magnetically locked phone pouches.
Exceptions and Sixth-Form Provisions
Sixth-form pupils in Years 12 and 13 may still be allowed access to their phones in designated areas such as common rooms, provided they are not using them in front of younger pupils. Exceptions will also remain for children who need access to their phones for medical reasons, such as monitoring blood sugar levels for diabetes or controlling an insulin pump.
Guidance for Teachers
The guidance also applies to teachers, stating staff should not use their own mobile phones for personal reasons in front of pupils during the school day. However, phones can still be used for school-related purposes, including issuing homework, rewards and sanctions or accessing secure accounts using two-step verification.
Ministerial Statements
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: "We are determined to ensure technology enriches children’s lives, not harms them - and to give every child the childhood they deserve." Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "We have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our schools but now we’re going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement. Mobile phones have no place in schools. No ifs, no buts. Our Attendance and Behaviour Hubs will support schools that are struggling to effectively implement phone bans so all our children can learn in phone-free environments. This comes alongside our world-leading curriculum reforms which will ensure children build the media and digital literacy skills needed to thrive at work and throughout life."
Implementation and Funding Concerns
The Government said headteachers should decide the best way to enforce the new rules in their own schools. However, the Association of School and College Leaders has called for additional funding to help schools introduce measures such as lockers, secure storage areas and phone pouches.
