UK Government to Ban Phones in Schools in England by Law

The UK government has confirmed plans to introduce a legal ban on mobile phones in schools in England, marking a major shift from guidance to enforceable policy.

The change will be made through an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, giving statutory force to phone-free school rules that many schools already have in place.

What Has Changed?

Until now, schools in England have been advised to restrict phone use, but policies were not legally binding.

Under the new plans:

Schools will be required by law to ban mobile phones
Policies are expected to apply throughout the entire school day
The move will provide clear legal backing for headteachers

The Department for Education has been clear in its position that mobile phones have “no place in schools”.

Why the Government Is Acting

The decision follows increasing pressure from:

Teachers and school leaders
Parents and campaign groups
Policymakers in both the House of Commons and House of Lords

Concerns consistently raised include:

Distraction in lessons
Online bullying and safeguarding risks
Negative impact on focus and behaviour

Frontline educators have reported that removing phones leads to calmer classrooms and improved engagement.

Most Schools Already Restrict Phones

The new law largely formalises what is already happening across England. Around 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools already have some form of phone restriction in place. However, approaches vary from partial bans to “out of sight” policies, which can create inconsistency.

The legal change is designed to:

Remove ambiguity
Support schools facing pushback
Ensure a more consistent, nationwide approach

Evidence Behind Phone-Free Schools

There is growing evidence linking phone-free environments with better outcomes:

Schools with effective phone bans are more than twice as likely to be rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted (Policy Exchange)
Research has shown improved focus, behaviour and academic performance when phones are removed from the school day.

The direction of travel is clear, limiting phone access supports both learning and wellbeing.

What Happens Next?

The legislation will continue through Parliament, but the government’s position signals a clear move towards:

Fully phone-free school days
Stronger enforcement of policies
Greater alignment between schools

The focus is shifting from whether phones should be restricted — to how to implement that restriction effectively.

From Policy to Practice

While the law provides clarity, implementation remains the key challenge for schools.

Questions many schools face include:

How to ensure consistency across all year groups
How to prevent phones being accessed during the day
How to manage storage securely without disruption

Moving from an “out of sight” policy to a fully phone-free environment requires practical solutions that work day-to-day. Phone Locker® supports this next step by providing a secure, simple way to keep devices locked away and inaccessible during the school day, helping schools turn legislation into consistent, everyday practice.