Government to Legally Ban Smartphones in English Schools
The government has announced plans to introduce a legal prohibition on the use of smartphones in schools across England.
Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith informed the House of Lords on Monday that the government intends to table an amendment to its landmark Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This amendment will establish a "clear legal requirement for schools" regarding smartphone use.
The Department for Education (DfE) stated that this initiative will provide "legal force to what schools are already doing in practice."
Earlier in January, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had written to schools encouraging adherence to new guidance recommending that schools remain phone-free throughout the entire school day.
Political Reactions
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott welcomed the amendment, describing it as "fantastic news for head teachers, parents and pupils across the country."
"For over a year, Labour dismissed this as an unnecessary gimmick, and just last week the education minister claimed the problem had already been solved," she wrote on X. "I'm glad they've now listened, this is the right step for improving behaviour and raising attainment in our classrooms."
Department for Education's Position
The DfE emphasized that it has been "consistently clear that mobile phones have no place in schools" and noted that the majority of schools already prohibit their use.
A department spokesperson explained that the amendment "builds on the steps we've already taken to strengthen enforcement."
From April, Ofsted inspections will include monitoring of schools' mobile phone policies.
"We will always put children's interests first, including through this Bill – which is widely recognised as the biggest piece of child safeguarding legislation in decades."
Additional Bill Measures and Legislative Context
Other provisions within the Bill include establishing a register of children not attending school, aimed at providing additional protection for children educated outside the view of authorities.
The Bill had faced delays between the House of Commons and the Lords due to disagreements over the phone ban. The Lords voted in favour of a Conservative amendment calling for a ban in February.
At that time, Phillipson had recently communicated to all schools in England that it was "not appropriate for phones to be used as calculators, or for research during lessons," as well as during break and lunchtime periods.
Ministerial Statements
On Monday, Baroness Smith addressed the Lords, acknowledging the strong opinions on this issue both within Parliament and among the public.
"Notwithstanding the fact that we think the guidance we already have in place provides headteachers and schools with a range of approaches to be able to deliver the objective that we all share, we are committing to tabling an amendment in lieu which will place the existing guidance on a statutory footing on the face of the Bill, creating a clear legal requirement for schools."
Regional Variations Across the UK
As education is a devolved matter, policies on phone use in schools differ throughout the UK.
The Scottish government introduced guidance in 2024 allowing headteachers to implement phone bans in schools.
In Wales, there is no national ban; however, headteachers have the authority to restrict or ban device use within their schools.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland recently concluded a phone-free pilot scheme involving nine schools, with a report on the initiative expected to be published in June.
Additional reporting by Branwen Jeffreys and Kate McGough
