England Plans Full School Phone Ban, Even in Pupils' Bags
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Pupils in England would no longer be allowed to keep phones in their bags or pockets during the school day under tougher government guidance, according to BBC News and LBC. The change goes beyond the "not seen, not heard" rules that many schools use now, and it is due to take effect in September 2027.
Head teachers' unions say schools will struggle to put the stricter approach in place without extra money from the government.
What exactly is changing for schools in England?
The Department for Education will issue strengthened guidance encouraging schools to make phones inaccessible to pupils for the whole day, LBC reported. Under a "not seen, not heard" policy, children can keep phones in their bags as long as nobody sees or hears them. Ministers now say that is not enough.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said children should not use smartphones at any point in the school day. She summed up the government's message to parents and pupils as "school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling."
What do the current rules say?
Existing statutory guidance says schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default, but it does not spell out how they must enforce that, according to LBC. The BBC reported that this guidance made schools and trusts legally responsible for keeping the day phone-free. Reports differ on when it took effect: the BBC says June, while LBC says September.
LBC also cited a Department for Education survey carried out in June. It found that only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are followed all of the time.
How will schools be expected to keep phones away from pupils?
Schools will be able to decide for themselves. Some have bought sealed pouches or secure lockers. Others collect phones at the start of the day, and some ban them from the site altogether. The revised guidance is meant to give more clarity on the stronger approaches schools can take.
What do school leaders say about the cost?
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders' union, said many schools already restrict phones. He said going further comes at a cost, and that schools will need additional funding and support to adopt the more robust measures.
Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the guidance at least provides some clarity. He added that school leaders "cannot simply make mobile phones disappear." He said the cost would be very significant if every school were expected to provide lockable pouches or other secure storage for every pupil, and called that unfeasible without government funding.
Who supports the change?
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England, said she welcomed strong action to stop phones distracting pupils and disrupting the school day. She also said she wanted all head teachers to receive support to apply the policy.
Charlotte Ashton, co-founder of the campaign group Generation Focus, told the BBC that "not seen, not heard" policies were not working. She said the aim should be a point where it is no longer normal for every child to carry an internet-enabled device all day.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said she was pleased that Labour had agreed to a proper ban on smartphones in schools. She criticized what she called a lack of joined-up thinking over new technology allowed in classrooms.
What does this mean for pupils and parents?
If the guidance is applied as described, children in England would have to hand over, lock away or leave their phones at home for the whole school day. How this works would differ from school to school, because each can choose its own method. Whether schools can pay for pouches or lockers, and whether the government provides money, is unresolved. The unions say it is a central issue.
The Department for Education is also launching a consultation on independent safety certification for educational technology, LBC reported, to reassure parents and schools that the tools used in classrooms are safe.
Does the same apply across the UK?
No. Education is devolved, so the approach varies, according to the BBC.
- Scotland: the government has said it will introduce a law restricting personal phone use in schools, and ran a consultation over the summer.
- Wales: the Senedd recently voted against a motion for a national statutory ban in classrooms. Schools are encouraged to restrict phones, but heads keep flexibility over their own rules.
- Northern Ireland: Education Minister Paul Givan launched a 12-week consultation in August on whether to ban phones from schools by law.
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