Mobile Phone Ban in Schools
HM Government has introduced new guidance setting out the DFE expectations on prohibiting the use of mobile phones in English schools.
Although widely described as a ‘ban’, the guidance is non statutory and as such is not a definitive statement of law or a substitute for any other relevant legislation.
However, as the guidance states the expectation is that ‘all schools should be mobile phone-free’ throughout the school day and that ‘anything other than this should be by exception only’. The school day includes during and the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtimes.
Recognising that mobile phones may contribute to safeguarding pupils on their journeys to and from school, the guidance falls short of banning mobile phones being brought to school. Where this is allowed, there is an expectation that schools employ measures to secure phones during the day, such as storage in lockers or handing devices to staff on arrival.
Under the new guidance, staff may use mobile phones as part of their teaching role but are directed not to use them for personal reasons in front of pupils. Each school’s policy on prohibiting mobile phone use should be explained to pupils at the start of each academic year, with regular reminders to reinforce expectations.
Where expectations are breached, staff should follow the sanctions stated in the policy and may include proportionate confiscation. It is important to remember that legally, headteachers and authorised staff may only search a pupil or their possessions for possession of a ‘prohibited item’ as listed in the school’s policy. In cases of confiscation, care should be taken to consider flexible confiscation timescales and the impact this may have for each individual pupil.
In line with the Equality Act the new guidance acknowledges that as schools have a duty ‘to take steps as is reasonable to avoid substantial disadvantage to a disabled pupil’, proportionate adjustments may be put in place to support children with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEND). School policy should also include provision for pupils who may use mobile phones to support medical conditions. Additionally schools may apply adaptations on a contextual safeguarding basis, for example if a pupil is a young carer.
In order to comply with the guidance, schools should:
- Review the current Behaviour policy, and Use of Mobile Devices policy if in place, to ensure mobile phone use expectations are clearly set out and that they reflect the updated guidance;
- Check safeguarding and inclusion arrangements, ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place;
- Agree a consistent approach to managing mobile phones during the school day, including how exceptions, as outlined above, are handled;
- Brief staff and governors on the new DFE guidance and Ofsted’s inspection focus, to ensure expectations and responsibilities are understood;
- Ensure all staff and volunteers are made aware of the policy and know how to implement it effectively;
- Ensure all pupils are aware of and understand the school’s e-safety measures and the prohibited the use of mobile phones This should include the consequences and sanctions of breaching the policy;
- Make sure the policy requirements are effectively communicated to parents and carers.
Although management of mobile phone use in schools is not a new topic for schools, it is important for all schools in England to audit their current provision now, especially as HM Government expects Ofsted to examine both the schools’ mobile phone use policy and how effectively it is implemented in practice when judging behaviour during inspections.
SSS Learning Safeguarding Director
26 January 2026