UK Government Mandates Phone-Free Classrooms in England Schools
The UK Government is introducing stricter guidance to remove mobile phones from pupils' persons in England schools by September 2027.
The Government of the United Kingdom is implementing stricter guidance for schools in England to ensure classrooms are truly phone-free. Starting in September 2025, revised statutory guidance will move beyond existing policies where devices simply remain in bags, aiming to prevent pupils from having phones on their person during the school day.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell stated that school is for learning and friendship, "not scrolling." The government intends to fully prevent students from carrying phones by September 2027. These measures are distinct from a separate planned ban on social media for children under 16, which is scheduled to begin in March 2027.
School leadership unions have raised concerns regarding the financial burden of these mandates. The National Association of Head Teachers and the Association of School and College Leaders warned that implementing robust measures, such as lockable pouches or secure storage facilities for every pupil, is not feasible without additional government funding and support.
