The Government is strengthening its guidance on mobile phones in schools, with new rules that will require phones to be inaccessible to pupils throughout the school day. The move follows the Department for Education's (DfE) call for schools in England to operate as "mobile phone-free by default" environments.
New rules for phone-free schools
The revised statutory guidance, due to come into effect in September next year, will give schools more clarity on what approaches they can take to enforce the ban. Existing statutory DfE guidance, which came into effect in September 2026, already calls for schools to operate as "mobile phone-free environments by default", but it does not explicitly set out how they should enforce it.
Some schools currently use lockable pouches or secure storage for pupils' phones, while others collect them at the start of the day or prohibit students from bringing phones onsite altogether. According to a DfE survey carried out in June, only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are followed all of the time.
Reactions from unions and officials
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said school was for learning and friendship "not scrolling" as she set out plans to encourage "truly phone-free" classrooms. She 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."
Headteachers' unions have said additional funding will be needed if schools are required to implement more robust measures, such as lockable pouches or secure storage. 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."
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."
Support and concerns raised
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."
