Department for Education issues strengthened guidance for phone-free schools
The Department for Education has issued strengthened guidance telling schools in England to keep mobile phones completely out of use and inaccessible throughout the school day. Instead of allowing phones to remain tucked away in bags, the updated rules urge headteachers to adopt whole-school strategies such as lockable pouches, morning collection, secure storage, or total site bans. Official figures cited by the department show that only 16% of secondary pupils report that current school phone rules are followed all the time. Polling published in March found that 40% of children aged 9 to 16 turned down real-world activities to stay online, while the Milburn review interim report highlighted pupils staying awake until 3am scrolling. Parents and pupils will see clearer expectations about keeping school days free from digital distractions. Alongside the phone rules, the department launched a consultation on safety standards for classroom technology.
What was announced
The Department for Education announced updated guidance on 10 November 2026 requiring schools to ensure mobile phones are inaccessible during the entire school day. The new standard moves beyond the traditional "not seen, not heard" approach, where pupils kept phones turned off inside their bags.
To enforce this, the government is encouraging schools to use lockable pouches, collect devices at arrival, provide secure storage, or ban phones from school premises entirely. Alongside the phone guidance, the government launched a public consultation on educational technology. This consultation will explore independent safety certification for classroom software and hardware to ensure digital tools meet safety standards. The government also linked these moves to broader curriculum changes, including restoring Key Stage 3 to a full three-year phase and giving spoken communication equal status to reading and writing.
What it means
School leaders now have explicit backing from the government to enforce strict phone restrictions. Survey data cited in the announcement revealed that while most schools restrict phone use, only 16% of secondary school pupils say those rules are actually followed all the time.
For pupils, the guidance aims to remove digital disruptions in class and encourage face-to-face interaction during breaks. Headteacher Caty Reid of Clayton Hall Academy noted that using lockable pouches in her school led to pupils talking more during breaks, improved class engagement, better attendance, and fewer online bullying incidents.
For parents, the announcement sets clear expectations regarding mobile devices during school hours. The consultation on classroom technology also aims to reassure parents that software used by pupils meets safety benchmarks.
What the announcement does not tell us
The announcement does not state whether the government will provide extra funding for schools to purchase lockable pouches or secure storage lockers. It does not explain how schools should handle exceptions, such as pupils who rely on mobile devices for medical monitoring or special educational needs.
The document does not specify an exact date when schools must implement the strengthened guidance. Additionally, the announcement does not detail how the proposed independent safety certification for educational technology will be tested, enforced, or funded.
How this was written
This analysis was written with AI from the official announcement below, using only facts that announcement states. The quoted wording is gov.uk: Department for Education’s own. Always check the original before acting on anything here.
Children will benefit from distraction-free learning under strengthened mobile phone guidance.
Opens www.gov.uk
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