Schools in England Told to Enforce Complete Mobile Phone Ban, Says Education Secretary

All schools in England should ensure pupils do not use mobile phones at any point during the school day, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has instructed, calling for stricter enforcement of phone-free school environments.

In a letter sent to schools and seen exclusively by the BBC, Phillipson made it clear that mobile phones should not be used for any purpose, including as calculators, for online research during lessons, or during break times and lunch periods. She also advised teachers not to use their own phones in front of students.

The Education Secretary confirmed that Ofsted will now inspect schools on how effectively they are implementing mobile phone policies, marking a tougher approach than previous guidance. This move, however, has drawn criticism from some teaching unions, who argue that inspections should not be used to “police” schools.

Although guidance on restricting phone use in schools was first introduced by the previous Conservative government in February 2024, Phillipson said it failed to provide sufficient clarity or consistency. As a result, the government has now strengthened the guidance, making it explicit that pupils should not be using mobile phones at school under any circumstances.

The announcement follows closely after the government revealed plans to launch a three-month consultation on banning social media for under-16s across the UK. Phillipson encouraged teachers to contribute their professional insights to the consultation.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also stated that her party would introduce a social media ban for under-16s if it were in government.

While teaching unions have broadly welcomed the consultation on social media, they have voiced concerns about Ofsted’s involvement. Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said school leaders need government support rather than the pressure of “heavy-handed inspection”.

Research by Teacher Tapp highlights varied phone policies for staff, showing that while most primary school teachers can only use phones during breaks, nearly half of secondary school teachers are allowed unrestricted use. Very few schools ban staff phone use entirely.

Education policy remains devolved across the UK, meaning the new guidance applies only to England. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland continue to allow schools to set their own phone policies, with varying degrees of restriction.