Politics · United Kingdom · 10 hrs ago
England to require schools to keep pupils’ phones inaccessible all day
From next September, schools in England must keep pupils’ phones inaccessible all day under updated government guidance.
The rules cover lessons, breaks and lunchtime, and schools can use a complete ban or secure pouches or lockers.
Previously, many schools allowed pupils to keep phones in their bags if they did not use them, but the government says that approach is not enough.
The change is intended to reduce distraction and disruption during the school day.
School leaders welcomed clearer rules but warned that secure storage could be costly without government funding.
The guidance applies to England; approaches differ across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where separate decisions are under way.
England will strengthen school phone guidance so pupils cannot access their phones during the school day.
Schools will need to impose a complete ban or provide secure storage such as pouches or lockers.
The updated guidance is due to take effect next September.
The government says the change is intended to reduce distraction and support learning and friendship.
School leaders have welcomed clearer rules but warned that secure storage could involve significant costs.
- Who
- The Department for Education and schools in England. Pupils will not be allowed access to their phones during the school day.
- What
- Guidance will be strengthened so schools must keep phones inaccessible, through a ban or secure storage.
- When
- The change is due to take effect next September.
- Where
- Schools in England.
- Why
- The government says phones should not distract from learning and friendship during the school day.
Government
School leaders concerned about costs
Policy
Government
The government says schools should keep phones inaccessible throughout the school day.
School leaders concerned about costs
School leaders cited in the reports acknowledge the aims or clarity of the guidance but warn secure storage could be costly.
Implementation
Government
The guidance allows schools to use a complete ban or secure pouches or lockers.
School leaders concerned about costs
School leaders say providing secure storage for every pupil may not be feasible without government funding.
The Department for Education published guidance saying phones should not be accessible throughout the school day.
Education minister Olivia Bailey said “not seen, not heard” policies would not be allowed under the new guidance.
The Department for Education said it would update the guidance to make clear that phones must be inaccessible during the school day.
The updated guidance is due to take effect.
- Affected area
- England
- Effective date
- Next September
- School options
- Complete ban or secure pouches or lockers
- Survey result
- 16 per cent of secondary pupils said phone rules were followed all of the time
- Government department
- Department for Education
2 sources
What people are saying
Children should not be using smartphones at any point during the school day, full stop.
The strengthened guidance will make clear that schools should go beyond "not seen, not heard" – where phones may remain in pupils' bags – and adopt whole-school strategies that keep phones out of use and inaccessible throughout the school day.
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,
phones could raise "safety issues" and be an "unhelpful distraction" during the school day.