The UK government said it would introduce a legal requirement restricting smartphone use in schools in England, embedding existing guidance into law through an amendment to its Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
Education minister Jacqui Smith told the House of Lords that the government would table the amendment to create a “clear legal requirement” for schools to follow stricter mobile phone policies.
The Department for Education said the change would give legal backing to practices already widely adopted by schools, where many institutions have implemented their own restrictions on phone use during the school day.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had earlier written to schools urging them to adopt fully phone-free policies throughout the day. The government now plans to place that guidance on a statutory footing, requiring schools to take it into account.
Ministers argued the approach differs from proposals by the opposition, who have pushed for a blanket legal ban. Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott welcomed the move, describing it as positive for schools, parents and pupils, and said it would help improve behaviour and academic outcomes.
Speaking in the Lords, Smith said options such as “not seen, not heard” where phones are switched off and kept in bags had been removed from guidance, adding that the government was open to strengthening restrictions further.
Schools have adopted a range of enforcement methods, including lockers and magnetically sealed pouches, although full details of the proposed amendment have yet to be published.
The Liberal Democrats said the government must ensure schools receive adequate funding and support to implement the changes. The party’s education spokesperson Caroline Voaden said the shift represented a significant step but warned resources would be needed for a smooth transition.
Officials said compliance with school phone policies would be monitored through inspections by Ofsted from April, as part of broader efforts to strengthen safeguarding in schools.
The legislation has faced delays between the House of Commons and the House of Lords after peers backed a Conservative amendment earlier this year calling for a stricter ban.
Education leaders suggested the legal change may have limited practical impact. Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio said most schools already enforce their own restrictions, but called for government funding to support secure storage solutions such as lockers or locked pouches.
He also urged stronger regulation of social media platforms, arguing that much of the harm linked to smartphone use occurs outside school hours.
Approaches to mobile phone use in schools vary across the UK due to devolved education policies. Scotland introduced guidance in 2024 allowing headteachers to impose bans, while schools in Wales already have the authority to restrict devices independently. In Northern Ireland, a pilot scheme involving phone-free policies in selected schools has recently concluded, with findings expected later this year.
Erizia Rubyjeana
