England bans phones from pockets in schools from 2027

Pupils in England will soon be barred from having mobile phones on them at all during the school day, according to the BBC News ^[1]. The stricter government guidance, which comes into force in September 2027, makes schools and trusts legally responsible for ensuring classrooms remain phone-free.

This move goes beyond the current "no see, no hear" policies, where phones could remain in bags if they were not seen or heard. Education Secretary Lucy Powell stated the government's clear message is that "school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling" ^[1]. The guidance highlights that access to phones risks pulling children away from their learning and from each other.

Schools will have the autonomy to decide how to implement these rules. Some institutions have already invested in sealed pouches or secure lockers, while others collect phones at the start of the day or prohibit them from the site altogether ^[1]. However, head teachers' unions warn that implementing these stricter policies without additional funding could prove difficult.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders union, noted that while phones can be an "unhelpful distraction," more robust measures would "come at a cost" ^[1]. Pepe Di'Iasio of the Association of School and College Leaders agreed, stating that school leaders "cannot simply make mobile phones disappear" without significant financial support for secure storage facilities.

Campaigners have welcomed the shift. Charlotte Ashton, co-founder of Generation Focus, argued that "no see, no hear" policies were failing, claiming pupils were still "TikToking in the toilets" ^[1]. She emphasised the need to stop the norm of children having internet-enabled devices in their pockets 24/7.

Politicians from across the spectrum have reacted. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said she was "delighted that Labour have finally listened" to calls for a proper ban ^[1]. She also welcomed a review of safety standards for technology in schools but criticised a lack of "joined up thinking" on what new tech is allowed in classrooms.

The approach varies across the UK. Scotland is consulting on a new law to restrict personal phone use, while Wales recently voted against a national statutory ban, leaving heads with flexibility. Northern Ireland has launched a consultation on a potential legal ban. Meanwhile, the regulations governing mobile phones in educational settings are distinct from the forthcoming UK-wide prohibition on social media access for those under 16, which covers platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.