The UK government is taking the "next step" towards phone-free schools, with stricter restrictions designed to push schools beyond the current "not seen, not heard" approach. The updated guidance encourages schools to adopt strategies for a universal ban, ensuring phones are inaccessible to pupils throughout the school day.
Current Compliance and New Measures
Although most UK schools already discourage phone use, only 16% of secondary school pupils said they follow phone rules all the time, according to a survey from the Department of Education. By guiding schools to replace weak regulation with a widespread ban, the pressure on pupils to manage their own technology will be reduced.
June's statutory guidance made schools responsible for students being phone-free during the day. Since then, various management techniques have been introduced, including investment in lockable pouches, phone collection points, secure storage lockers, and prohibiting phones altogether.
Education Secretary's Statement
Education Secretary Lucy 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."
She added: "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."
Expected Impact and Implementation
The mobile phone regulation is suggested to be transformative, as children will be barred from accessing platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Within UK schools, there is hope children will have strengthened reading, writing, numeracy, speaking, and listening skills.
The revised statutory guidance, due to come into effect in September next year, is to give greater clarity on what stronger approaches can be taken by schools. Additionally, a new consultation on technology in the classroom is launching to ensure any technology meets clear parameters, giving teachers, parents, and pupils confidence that technology used for learning meets accurate safety standards.
Supporting this, Emma Harrison, Business Specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "Keeping children safe from harm is every school's absolute priority. While education technology can provide many benefits, it is of paramount importance that it is safe and reliable."
She added: "Schools put a lot of work into ensuring the safety of any products they use, and a certification scheme has the potential to support schools in purchasing decisions and give them an additional layer of assurance when dealing with new forms of technology as they emerge."
