Starting Monday, 29 June 2026, all state-funded schools in England are legally required to enforce a complete ban on mobile phones and similar smart devices during school hours. This mandate comes under Section 36 of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, transforming what was previously guidance into enforceable national law.
Scope of the Ban
The ban applies from the moment a student enters school premises until the final bell rings, covering mobile phones, smartwatches that receive notifications, and other smart devices. While around 90% of secondary schools already had voluntary bans, the new law makes it uniform across all state-funded schools. Exemptions exist for students who rely on mobile apps to monitor chronic health conditions like diabetes, allowing them to use necessary medical technology throughout the day.
Schools may also permit older students in Years 12 and 13 to access phones in designated areas such as sixth-form common rooms, provided they are not visible to younger pupils. Headteachers have the flexibility to decide enforcement methods, which could include total bans on premises with devices handed in at registration, or requirements for devices to remain turned off and out of sight in bags.
Compliance and Enforcement
Ofsted inspectors will formally audit schools to verify they have an explicit, active phone policy. His Majesty's Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, stated: "My message to headteachers is you now have all the backing - and the backing of my inspectors - to ban mobile phones in schools immediately. They chip away at children's attention span, distract from learning and can be detrimental to children's wellbeing."
The law does not prohibit students from carrying phones for safety during commutes to and from school.
Government Support and Rationale
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 added: "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."
The ban aims to minimise classroom disruptions, address cyberbullying and social media pressure, and complement curriculum reforms in media and digital literacy.
Regional Scope
This change is specific to England. Schools in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland continue to operate under their own separate regional frameworks and guidance.
