Mobile Phone Restrictions in England’s Schools – All You Need to Know

Published: April 12, 2025

Hey there, did you know about Mobile Phone Restrictions in England’s Schools? Stay with us for all the details you need to know.

As of April 2025, schools all over England—both primary and secondary—have either banned or strictly limited the use of mobile phones during the school day.

This major change comes after the UK government released new guidance back in October 2023, encouraging schools to take strong steps against mobile phone distractions.

So, why this move?

The main goal is to help students stay focused in class, reduce online bullying, and support better mental health. It does not mean to take children away from the latest trends and technology.

No Mobiles in UK's Schools — No Mobiles in UK’s Schools

Mobile phones, while useful in some situations, have become a big source of distraction in learning environments.

To make this happen, most schools have created their own rules, following the government’s advice. These policies now cover the entire school day—even break times.

Here’s a surprising fact: 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools in England are now phone-free zones.

That’s a huge shift, aiming to bring back better learning and more real-life interaction among students.

Table of Content

Key Numbers You Should Know
What the Government Says About It
What Teachers and Education Experts Think
School-Level Implementation & Case Studies
What Parents and the Public Think
Challenges and Criticism
Looking Beyond the UK: Global Trends
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Extra Points to Consider
Sources / References (for factual accuracy)

Key Numbers You Should Know

The push to ban mobile phones in schools isn’t just a small change—it’s backed by some eye-opening statistics.

According to the Children’s Commissioner for England:

99.8% of primary schools in England have already banned mobile phones.
90% of secondary schools have done the same.

That means almost every school in the country is now taking steps to keep phones out of classrooms.

And it’s not just schools that support the move. A 2024 survey by Ipsos found that:

48% of UK adults agree that smartphones should be completely banned in schools.

This shows there’s strong support from the public, especially from parents who want schools to be focused on learning, not screen time.

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What the Government Says About It

In October 2023, the Department for Education (DfE) stepped in and gave official guidance to schools across England.

Their message was clear:

Mobile phones should not be used at any time during the school day—not even during lunch or break times.

So, what’s the reason behind this?

The government wants to:

Improve students’ focus and academic performance
Reduce classroom disruptions
Protect kids from online bullying and harmful content

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan also spoke about this change, saying it’s an important step toward raising educational standards and helping students get the most out of their time in school.

With this strong government support, schools now feel more confident in creating strict phone-free policies.

What Teachers and Education Experts Think

The move to ban mobile phones in schools isn’t just backed by the government—educational groups and teachers are also on board.

The National Education Union (NEU), which represents thousands of teachers, has gone a step further. They’ve called for a legal (statutory) ban on phones in all schools, not just a recommendation.

Why?

Because they believe it’s important to:

Protect students from harmful online content, such as cyberbullying or inappropriate material
Reduce pressure on teachers, who often have to deal with phone-related issues in class
Make things easier for parents, who worry about their kids’ screen time and safety
According to them, keeping schools phone-free helps create a better and safer learning environment for everyone.

School-Level Implementation & Case Studies

Many schools in England have already taken big steps to put the mobile phone ban into action—and some have been doing it for years with great results.

Ormiston Academies Trust: This group runs several schools across the country, and they’ve now gone completely phone-free for around 35,000 students. Phones are simply not allowed during the school day—making classrooms more focused and calm.
Burnage Academy for Boys (Manchester): This school banned mobile phones over 12 years ago. Since then, teachers have noticed big improvements in student behavior, focus, and social skills. Students spend more time talking to each other and less time staring at screens.
Other Schools: Some schools are using phone lockers where students can safely store their devices during the day. Others allow phones only for emergencies, keeping usage very limited.

These real-life examples show that with clear rules and support, phone-free schools can work really well—and benefit both students and staff.

What Parents and the Public Think

When it comes to banning mobile phones in schools, there’s a lot of support from parents.

Many parents believe that taking phones out of the classroom will help their children stay focused on learning and reduce distractions.

Concerns About Screen Time: Parents are also worried about how much screen time kids have outside of school. With phones banned in schools, it gives them a chance to limit screen use during the day, making it easier to control how much time their children spend on devices.
Fewer Distractions, More Focus: By removing phones, students are less likely to be distracted by social media, games, or texting, helping them to concentrate better on their studies.

However, there are also some concerns:

Communication during emergencies: Some parents worry about not being able to reach their kids quickly in case of an urgent situation.
After-school contact: Parents also want to stay in touch with their kids after school, especially for things like picking them up or checking in after extracurricular activities.

Even though these concerns exist, most people seem to agree that the benefits of a phone-free school day outweigh the challenges.

Challenges and Criticism

While many people support the mobile phone ban, not everyone agrees with it.

Some teachers’ unions have raised important concerns about how the ban is being implemented.

NASUWT’s Concerns: The NASUWT, another major teachers’ union, has warned that blanket phone bans (the same rules for all schools) could make existing behavior problems worse—especially if the rules are not put in place carefully. They believe that simply taking away phones might not solve deeper issues with student behavior.
Local Control vs. Government Rules: NASUWT also thinks that schools should have the freedom to decide for themselves how to handle phone usage. They argue that one-size-fits-all rules from the government (top-down mandates) might not be the best solution for every school, as each school has its own unique needs and challenges.

In short, while the ban has clear benefits, these unions want to make sure schools have the flexibility to figure out what works best for them.

Looking Beyond the UK: Global Trends

The move to ban mobile phones in schools in England is part of a broader trend happening around the world.

Several other countries have already implemented similar rules, showing that this is a growing concern for schools everywhere.

France: In France, a nationwide phone ban was introduced in 2018 for students aged 3 to 15. The idea is to help children focus on learning and improve social interactions without the distractions of mobile phones.
China: China has also put strict limits on phone use in schools. Some regions have even banned students from bringing their phones to school altogether, aiming to protect kids from too much screen time and the negative effects of social media.

The Bigger Picture

This growing movement is part of a global push for a “digital detox” in schools. Many educators and parents are realizing the importance of offline time for students.

Too much screen time can impact mental health, social skills, and academic performance.

By cutting down on mobile phone use, schools are trying to create a healthier, more focused learning environment for everyone.

FAQs

Why are mobile phones banned in schools in England?

The main reason for banning mobile phones in schools is to help students focus better on their studies. Phones can be a major distraction, taking students’ attention away from learning. The ban also aims to reduce the risk of cyberbullying and encourage better social interactions among students.

Which schools are affected by the mobile phone ban?

The ban applies to both primary and secondary schools across England. Nearly 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools have now implemented restrictions on mobile phone use during the school day.

What about emergencies? How can students contact their parents?

Schools understand that emergencies can happen, which is why many have set up emergency-use exceptions for students. In case of a real emergency, students can still contact their parents, either through the school office or using phones stored in lockers.

Are mobile phones completely banned in all schools in England?

While most schools have banned phones during school hours, some schools have introduced phone storage lockers where students store their phones during the day. Others allow limited phone use for emergencies or special circumstances, but overall, the trend is towards reducing phone use in classrooms.

Has the mobile phone ban been successful so far?

Yes, many schools that have implemented the ban have reported positive results. Teachers have noticed improvements in student behavior, focus, and social skills. For example, Burnage Academy for Boys in Manchester has seen better student interactions and fewer distractions since they imposed their phone ban over 12 years ago.

Final Thoughts

The mobile phone ban in schools across England marks an important shift towards creating better, more focused learning environments.

With nearly all primary and secondary schools adopting these rules, the goal is clear: to reduce distractions, improve student behavior, and promote healthier social interactions.

While there are some concerns about emergency contact and flexibility, the overall response has been positive, with many schools seeing improvements in student focus and well-being.

As the trend grows, it’s clear that mobile phone-free schools could be a key part of the future of education, both in England and globally.

Extra Points to Consider

Improved Mental Health: Many experts believe that cutting down on screen time at school can help reduce stress and anxiety among students. With fewer distractions from social media, students can focus more on their well-being and studies.
Encouraging Face-to-Face Interactions: Without phones, students are more likely to interact with each other in person, helping to improve their social skills and build better friendships.
Balancing Technology Use: While phones are banned during school hours, it’s important to teach students how to balance technology use responsibly. This includes using phones for learning purposes, but also knowing when to unplug.
Setting Boundaries for Students: Banning phones in school can help students learn the importance of setting boundaries for their digital life, teaching them when it’s okay to be online and when to focus on other things.
Adaptation and Flexibility: Schools are encouraged to adapt the mobile phone ban based on what works best for their students and community. While some may need to store phones in lockers, others may find different solutions for emergencies.

Sources / References (for factual accuracy)

For the information shared in this article, we’ve relied on reliable and trustworthy sources to ensure accuracy:

The Guardian – A leading news outlet providing detailed reports on education and policy changes in the UK.
BBC News – Trusted for up-to-date news on national developments, including school regulations and government guidelines.
The Times UK – Offering in-depth coverage of educational issues and governmental decisions.
Department for Education (gov.uk) – The official government body providing official guidance and policies on education in England.
Ipsos Polls – A reputable source for public opinion and surveys, including those related to mobile phone use in schools.
Ormiston Academies Trust press releases – Official statements and updates from the trust, detailing their phone-free policy and its effects.

These sources have provided the foundation for the information shared, ensuring factual accuracy and reliability throughout.

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