England Schools Directed to Enforce Full-Day Phone Ban

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has instructed headteachers across England to enforce a phone-free policy in schools throughout the entire school day, emphasizing that mobile devices should be inaccessible to pupils during lessons, breaks, lunchtimes, and transitions between classes. The directive, outlined in a letter sent to school leaders this week, builds on updated government guidance issued last week and aims to curb distractions and promote focused learning environments.

Phillipson stressed in the letter that phones are not suitable for use as calculators or for research purposes, whether inside or outside classroom time. She urged schools to apply these restrictions consistently across all classes and year groups, while calling on parents to support the policies. Teachers have also been advised against using their own phones in front of pupils to model appropriate behavior. The guidance specifies that schools may implement measures such as confiscating devices during the day or requiring them to be stored securely upon arrival.

According to data from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, nearly all primary schools, or 99.9 percent, already have...