English Schools Enforce Legal Smartphone Ban From June 29 as Heads Gain Daylong Duty
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 27
English Schools Enforce Legal Smartphone Ban From June 29 as Heads Gain Daylong Duty
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 27
Summary
Monday’s rule makes schools and academy trusts in England legally responsible for keeping pupils smartphone-free throughout the school day under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.
Most pupils will still be allowed to bring phones, but head teachers must enforce local bans through methods such as lockers, sealed pouches or “no see, no hear” policies.
Medical exemptions remain in place — including for pupils using phones with insulin pumps — while guidance also tells staff not to use personal phones in front of students.
Almost all schools already restrict phones, but unions want extra funding for secure storage, and the law hardens earlier guidance after years of political pressure over classroom distraction and online harms.