Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced a complete ban on mobile phones in schools across England during the entire school day. In a letter to educational institutions, which was reviewed by the BBC, she stated that it is “not appropriate for phones to be used as calculators or for research during lessons,” as well as during break times and lunch. This decision is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing the learning environment for students.
The new guidance, released last week, marks a significant shift from the previous policy established by the Conservative government in February 2024. Phillipson criticized the earlier guidance for lacking the “clarity or consistency that schools need.” She emphasized that the government has now “strengthened” the guidance to make it clear that pupils are prohibited from using their phones while at school.
Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills, will now be inspecting schools on their mobile phone policies. Phillipson has also advised teachers against using their phones in front of students, reinforcing the expectation that educators model appropriate behavior regarding technology use.
The announcement comes shortly after the government revealed plans for a three-month consultation on potentially banning social media for all individuals under 16 in the UK. Phillipson has urged educators to “contribute your professional insight” during this process. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has indicated that her party would support such a ban if they were in power.
Concerns regarding the government’s approach have been voiced by educational leaders. The National Association of Head Teachers described utilizing Ofsted to monitor mobile phone policies as “deeply unhelpful and misguided.” General Secretary Paul Whiteman asserted that school leaders require support from the government rather than the threat of stringent inspections.
Recent research conducted by the survey tool Teacher Tapp found that 86% of primary school teachers reported being allowed to use their phones for personal purposes during breaks, while 44% of secondary school teachers had similar freedoms. Only 2% of both primary and secondary teachers indicated that their schools had an outright ban on phone use during the school day.
Despite general support for the social media consultation, teaching unions have expressed reservations about Ofsted’s role in monitoring mobile phone policies. The Association of School and College Leaders has criticized the government’s slow response to the online risks faced by children, calling for a more proactive approach.
While the government’s new guidance pertains specifically to England, education is a devolved policy area in the UK, meaning that different regions have their own regulations. In Wales, the Senedd has previously stated that mobile phones should not be banned outright but that schools should be empowered to develop their own policies. In Northern Ireland, Education Minister Paul Givan has encouraged schools to limit pupil access to mobile phones and has supported campaigns urging parents not to purchase smartphones for their children until they are at least 14 years old. In Scotland, schools have received guidance to create their own regulations, such as requiring students to hand in phones before lessons or prohibiting their use during school trips.
As this policy unfolds, the impact on students and the educational environment will be closely monitored by both educators and policymakers.
