Strict rules will soon be in place. (Image: Getty)
The Labour Government is set to introduce stricter guidance in England that will prevent pupils from accessing their phones on them during the school day. Guidance that came into force in June made schools and trusts responsible for being phone-free during the day, but the new rules will go beyond “not seen, not heard” phone policies, where devices stay in pupils’ bags during the day, to ensure children can learn away from distractions, the Government has said.
This guidance may change next year, as the Government will prevent students from having their phones on them at all, starting in September 2027. It is understood these rules are separate from the UK’s ban on social media for under-16s, which is due to start in March 2027.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said school was for learning and friendship, “not scrolling”, as she set out plans to encourage “truly phone-free” classrooms. While most schools state that phones should be seen and not heard, only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are followed all of the time, according to a DfE survey carried out in June.
The revised statutory Government mobile phone guidance, due to come into effect in September next year, is intended to provide greater clarity on stronger approaches schools can take. Head teachers’ unions said that without further funding, schools would struggle to implement the stricter new policies.
Schools have introduced sealed pouches or lockers to follow the new guidance, while others are collecting phones at the start of the day. Headteachers’ unions have said additional funding will be needed if schools are required to implement more robust measures – like lockable pouches or secure storage – to keep phones away from pupils.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell. (Image: Getty)
Last week, education minister Paul Waugh said there was a risk of a “Wild West” of education technology products in schools across England.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Many schools already have restrictions on phones, but going beyond a ‘not seen, not heard’ approach comes at a cost.
“If schools are to implement some of the more robust measures suggested in this guidance, they will need access to additional funding and support.”
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “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. This is not feasible unless the Government puts in the funding required to meet these costs.”
Andy Burnham’s Labour Announce Huge New Rule for All Children at Schools in England
The Labour government led by Andy Burnham has announced tougher rules on mobile phone use in schools across England, marking a significant change in how pupils will be expected to behave during the school day. Under the proposed policy, children will no longer be allowed to keep their mobile phones with them during school hours, even if their devices are switched off and remain inside their school bags.
The announcement, made by Education Secretary Lucy Powell on 10 November 2026, is part of a wider government effort to create more focused learning environments, improve children’s mental wellbeing and reduce distractions in classrooms.
The new rules are expected to take effect from September 2027. They will go further than existing guidance, which generally requires phones to be kept out of sight and not used during lessons. Instead, schools will be encouraged to introduce stricter arrangements, including collecting phones at the beginning of the school day, providing secure lockers or requiring pupils to use locked storage pouches.
The decision has generated considerable discussion among parents, teachers and education experts. Supporters believe that removing phones from the school environment will help children concentrate, communicate with classmates and develop healthier relationships with technology. Critics, however, have questioned how schools will enforce the new requirements and whether the government will provide sufficient funding.
The government’s decision follows growing concerns about the impact of smartphones on children’s education and social development. Mobile phones have become an increasingly common feature of everyday life for teenagers. Many pupils use them to communicate with friends, watch videos, play games and access social media. Although smartphones can provide educational benefits, teachers have raised concerns that they can also become a major source of distraction.
According to a Department for Education survey conducted in June 2026, only 16 per cent of secondary school pupils said that existing mobile phone restrictions were followed all the time. This suggests that current arrangements are not working consistently across schools.
Some schools already operate strict policies, requiring pupils to hand over their devices when they arrive. Others allow phones to remain in school bags, provided they are not used during lessons. Ministers believe that this inconsistent approach makes enforcement difficult.
The government wants schools to become places for learning, friendship and personal development rather than environments dominated by constant notifications and online distractions. The objective is to establish a clearer national expectation that pupils should attend school without having access to their personal smartphones throughout the day.
The most important difference between the existing guidance and the proposed arrangements is that pupils will no longer routinely be permitted to keep their phones in their possession during school hours. Schools could collect mobile phones from pupils when they arrive in the morning, introduce secure lockers or use specially designed lockable pouches that prevent pupils from accessing their devices until the school day has finished.
These approaches are intended to prevent pupils from secretly checking messages, browsing social media or recording videos during lessons.
One of the government’s strongest arguments is that removing smartphones from schools could improve academic performance. Teachers frequently report that pupils struggle to maintain concentration when they are constantly exposed to digital distractions. Even when a phone is switched off, its presence can encourage pupils to think about incoming messages, social media notifications or conversations taking place outside the classroom.
By removing access to these devices, ministers hope that children will become more engaged with their lessons. There could also be benefits for classroom discussions. Instead of looking at screens during breaks, pupils may spend more time talking to classmates, participating in activities and developing friendships.
Another important reason behind the policy is growing concern about children’s mental health. Social media can expose young people to cyberbullying, harmful content, unrealistic expectations and pressure to maintain a particular online image. For some teenagers, the constant need to check messages and notifications can create anxiety and interfere with sleep.
Supporters of the new policy argue that removing smartphones during school hours could provide pupils with a valuable break from online pressures. It could also encourage children to develop stronger face-to-face communication skills.
However, smartphones can also provide reassurance and support, particularly for pupils who experience anxiety or have additional needs. Some children rely on their devices for communication assistance, accessibility tools or medical monitoring. Schools will therefore need sensible exceptions and appropriate alternative arrangements to ensure that pupils with legitimate needs are not disadvantaged.
Although many school leaders support stronger restrictions, there are concerns about the financial and practical implications. Schools may need to purchase secure lockers, storage facilities or specialist pouches for hundreds of pupils. They may also need additional staff time to collect devices, monitor storage arrangements and deal with disagreements when pupils refuse to comply.
School leaders have warned that implementing more robust phone-free policies could create additional costs. Smaller schools and institutions with limited budgets could face particular difficulties. This raises an important question about whether the government will provide sufficient financial support to make the policy practical across the country.
For parents, the new rules could require some adjustments to everyday routines. Many families currently expect their children to carry mobile phones so they can communicate about transport, after-school activities and unexpected changes to arrangements.
Under the proposed system, pupils would still be able to bring their devices to school where permitted, but they would not be allowed to keep them accessible during the school day. Parents would therefore need to communicate with schools through established administrative channels if an urgent situation arose.
Schools would also need clear procedures for emergencies, including situations in which children need to contact their families. Another concern involves journeys to and from school. Mobile phones can provide reassurance to parents who want to know that their children have arrived safely. The policy is primarily concerned with access to devices during school hours, rather than preventing children from using their phones outside school.
The mobile phone policy is also part of a wider programme of educational reform under Andy Burnham’s government. Ministers have been examining the national curriculum, school attendance, children’s mental wellbeing and the transition between primary and secondary education.
These reforms reflect a wider argument that education should develop confident and capable young people rather than focus exclusively on examination results. The government also wants to improve opportunities for young people through technical education, apprenticeships and better access to mental health support.
The smartphone restrictions are therefore being presented as one element of a broader effort to improve children’s experiences at school.
In conclusion, the Labour government’s decision to introduce tougher mobile phone restrictions represents a significant proposed change for schools and families across England. From September 2027, schools are expected to move towards arrangements that prevent pupils from keeping their smartphones with them during the school day.
The government believes that this will improve concentration, encourage face-to-face communication and protect children’s wellbeing. However, the policy also raises important questions about enforcement, funding, emergency communication and the needs of pupils with disabilities or medical conditions.
Teachers will need practical support, parents will need clear information and schools will need sufficient resources to make the arrangements work effectively.
Ultimately, the success of the policy will depend on whether it creates a better learning environment without introducing unnecessary difficulties for children, families and education professionals.
For Andy Burnham and Lucy Powell, the challenge is to demonstrate that making schools phone-free can deliver genuine improvements in children’s education, social development and mental wellbeing. The government’s message is that school hours should be dedicated to learning, friendship and personal development rather than spending the day looking at smartphone screens.