From September 2027, schools will be expected to keep phones inaccessible during the school day, a tougher approach than the existing “not seen, not heard” policy under which pupils can keep phones in their bags.
Schools in England will be expected to keep mobile phones inaccessible throughout the school day under strengthened Department for Education guidance due to take effect in September 2027. The change calls for a tougher approach than rules that let pupils keep phones in their bags as long as they are not seen or heard.
Schools are already supposed to be phone-free, but many use that “not seen, not heard” approach, The Guardian said, citing BBC reporting. The department said only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are followed all the time.
The department said some schools already use lockable pouches, collect phones at the start of the day, put them in secure storage or prohibit them on school premises altogether. The strengthened guidance will build on those approaches.
The department said pupils, schools and parents need clearer guidance and that it wants the school day to be a time for learning and connecting with others.
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