Mobile phone ban in English schools – what parents need to know

Government guidance prohibiting the use of mobile phone use in schools became a legal requirement in England on 29 June 2026, with schools expected to implement it from 1 September 2026. But what does this mean for pupils, parents and carers?

Bitesize Parenting breaks down the rules around mobile phone use in schools to offer some clarity on the situation.

What is the current guidance for mobile phones in schools in England?

Current guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) around the use of mobile phones in English schools was updated on 29 June 2026. It says that all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default; anything other than this should be by exception only. Pupils should not have access to mobile phones or other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones, throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, break times and lunchtime.

However, it is currently down to headteachers to decide how best to achieve a mobile-free environment within their own schools, this may include storing phones in lockers or handing them in to teachers at the start of the day.

The DfE says that schools can currently use a range of sanctions for breaching the mobile phone policy appropriate to their context, including confiscation and detentions, and that headteachers or authorised staff have the power to search pupils or their possessions for prohibited items such as mobile phones.

What are the responsibilities of parents?

DfE guidance says that parents have an important role to play in enforcing the rules. The school should clearly explain their mobile phone policy to pupils and parents. This should make it clear to parents what to expect, and give information on how they can contact their child within school hours, should the need arise.

Parents should be encouraged to reinforce the guidance when at home and discuss the benefits of a mobile-phone-free classroom, as well as the risks associated with using mobile phones. Should parents have any concerns or questions about the policy, the school should respond to these in a timely manner.

Bitesize Parenting has tips on how to enjoy a screen-free week that you can read here.

Are there any exceptions to the guidance?

Schools have responsibilities to put in place reasonable adjustments to the guidance to facilitate the needs of certain pupils, such as those with disabilities, medical needs or caring responsibilities. However government guidance doesn't give a list of all the exceptions, instead saying that schools should assess each case on its own merits.

Schools can also decide whether or not, and how, they want to implement the guidance to sixth-form pupils. The guidance says that pupils in boarding and residential schools should not use phones during the school day, but that schools should put policies in place regarding the use of mobile phones for pupils during the rest of the time.

What are the rules for mobile phones in schools in the rest of the UK?

Education is devolved in the UK, so the approach to phones in schools varies for each country.

• In Scotland, government guidance was updated in June 2026, it encourages schools and education authorities to implement policies to restrict mobile phones.
• There is no national ban in Wales, but headteachers will be "strongly encouraged" to restrict pupils using phones during the school day, Wales' education minister has said.
• Northern Irish education minister Paul Givan said that a consultation on whether to bring forward a law banning mobile phones from schools is currently in place and would last for 12 weeks. A phone-free pilot scheme in nine Northern Irish schools ended earlier in the year.

This article was updated on 4 September 2026.

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