Phones to be banned in schools by law in England under government plans

The head of the Association of School and College Leaders said a legal ban 'doesn't really change very much' because many schools already enforce bans, and urged funding for safe storage of mobile phones and tougher regulatory action on social media.

Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the amendment as 'fantastic news for headteachers, parents and pupils across the country', noting the previous opposition from Labour.

Education Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told the House of Lords that the government would table an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill creating a legal requirement for schools to enforce a mobile phone ban.

A phone-free pilot scheme in nine Northern Ireland schools has just ended, with a report due to be published in June.

The Liberal Democrats said ministers must ensure all schools have the necessary support and funding to manage this transition to a ban.

The Department for Education said phone policies will be monitored as part of Ofsted inspections from April.

The House of Lords voted in favour of a Conservative amendment calling for phones to be banned, highlighting the ongoing disagreement between the Commons and Lords over the policy.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson wrote to schools in January encouraging them to follow new guidance that schools be phone-free for the entire day.

The Scottish government brought in guidance in 2024 allowing headteachers to implement phone bans in schools.