Education Secretary Demands Phone-Free Schools in New Government Crackdown
England's Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has taken decisive action by writing directly to headteachers across the country, advocating for schools to become entirely phone-free environments throughout the entire school day. This significant intervention comes as part of a broader government initiative to address growing concerns about mobile phone usage in educational settings.
Strict New Guidelines for Classroom Technology
In her letter, which has been reportedly seen by major news outlets including the BBC and The Times, Ms Phillipson delivered a clear message about appropriate technology use in schools. She stated unequivocally that it was "not appropriate for phones to be used as calculators, or for research" at any time during school hours, whether inside or outside of formal classroom settings.
This communication follows closely on the heels of updated government guidance issued last week, which specifically stressed that pupils "should not have access to their devices during lessons, break times, lunch times, or between lessons." The comprehensive nature of these restrictions represents a significant tightening of existing policies around mobile phone usage in educational institutions.
Consistent Implementation and Inspection Focus
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced it will be taking immediate action regarding children's social media use, including directing Ofsted to examine schools' mobile phone policies and assess how effectively they are being implemented during routine inspections. This represents a notable shift toward making phone policies a formal part of school evaluation criteria.
Ms Phillipson emphasized in her correspondence that "schools should make sure those policies are applied consistently across classes and at all times" while also expressing the government's desire for parents to support these new restrictions. Interestingly, the guidance extends beyond students, with teachers also being advised against using their phones in front of pupils, creating a more uniform approach to technology abstinence during school hours.
Current Policy Landscape and Implementation Challenges
According to data supplied by DSIT, the vast majority of schools already have mobile phone policies in place, with 99.9% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools reporting established guidelines. However, implementation appears to be inconsistent, with 58% of secondary school pupils reporting mobile phones being used without permission in at least some lessons. This figure rises significantly to 65% for key stage four pupils, highlighting particular challenges with older students.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, responded to the announcement by telling the BBC that school leaders "need support from government, not the threat of heavy-handed inspection." This comment reflects concerns within the education sector about how these new expectations will be enforced and what resources will be provided to support implementation.
Broader Social Media Consultation Underway
This school-focused initiative coincides with ministers launching a comprehensive consultation on implementing an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s across the United Kingdom. The consultation will examine multiple options, including raising the digital age of consent and restricting potentially addictive app design features such as "streaks" and "infinite scrolling" mechanisms that are designed to maximize user engagement.
As part of this consultation process, ministers will visit Australia where a social media ban for under-16s came into force in December 2025. The Government has committed to seeking views from both parents and young people directly affected by these potential changes, with DSIT confirming that responses will be formally addressed in the summer following the consultation period.
This multi-pronged approach represents one of the most comprehensive government interventions into technology use among young people in recent years, combining school-based restrictions with broader societal considerations about social media access and design.
