Guidance | Mobile Phones in Schools – Updated DfE Guidance (Jan 2026)

Applies to all schools in England (maintained, academies, free schools, independent, special).

 

Purpose of the Guidance

The Department for Education (DfE) has strengthened its expectations and now states that all schools should be mobile phone–free environments by default, with exceptions only in specific, justified circumstances.  

 

This guidance is non‑statutory, but Ofsted will begin checking school policies and their implementation during inspections from 1 April 2026.  

Prohibiting the use of mobile phones in school

All schools should operate as mobile‑phone‑free environments by default, ensuring that pupils do not have access to their devices throughout the school day. Behaviour policies must clearly set out the expectations regarding the prohibition of mobile phones and outline the standards pupils are required to meet. While Bring Your Own Device schemes may allow the use of laptops or tablets for learning, they must not include mobile phones under any circumstances. Boarding and residential schools must also prohibit the use of mobile phones during the teaching day, although they should provide arrangements outside of lesson times that support the welfare and communication needs of boarders. Sixth‑form students may be granted limited and controlled access to their mobile phones, such as within sixth‑form‑only areas, provided this does not undermine expectations for younger pupils. In all settings, appropriate filtering and monitoring systems must be in place to prevent pupils from accessing harmful or inappropriate online content.

Implementing a policy on prohibiting the use of mobile phones

Schools may adopt a range of operational approaches to implement a mobile‑phone‑free environment. Some schools may use lockers to store mobile phones securely, while others may choose to collect devices from pupils at the start of the school day. Clear and proactive communication with families before pupils join the school helps ensure shared understanding and early buy‑in to the policy. Schools must also ensure that the school office remains responsive to communication from home so that parents and carers can contact their child when necessary without relying on pupils’ personal devices. Whatever approach is chosen, the policy must be accessible, applied consistently, and communicated clearly to the whole school community.

Communicating the policy to pupils and parents

It is essential that all staff, pupils, and parents are fully aware of the mobile phone policy and the sanctions that apply if it is breached. Schools must publish details of the policy on their website so that it is easily accessible to all stakeholders. Clear and consistent explanations of the reasons behind the policy help to build a shared culture of understanding and support, increasing compliance across the school community.

The role of staff

All staff have a responsibility to consistently enforce the school’s mobile phone policy and model the expected behaviour. Staff should avoid using their own personal phones in front of pupils, as doing so reinforces expectations and helps maintain a focused learning environment. Schools should also provide clear guidance on the circumstances in which staff use of mobile devices is appropriate for legitimate educational or administrative purposes, such as multi‑factor authentication or issuing homework.

Expectations for pupils

Pupils must have a clear understanding of the school’s mobile phone policy and the consequences that apply if it is not followed. They should be taught explicitly about the risks associated with mobile phone use, including distraction from learning, potential for bullying, and risks around sharing personal information or data online. Pupils should also be helped to understand the advantages of a mobile‑free learning environment so that they develop intrinsic motivation to support and follow the policy.

The role of parents

Parents play an important role in supporting the school’s mobile phone expectations and reinforcing the policy at home. Schools should ensure that all parental messages or urgent contact is directed through the school office, rather than via pupils’ devices, so that communication processes remain consistent with the policy. Any parental concerns should be addressed promptly, with clear explanations of the rationale for the policy and its benefits for pupils' wellbeing and learning.

The use of sanctions

Schools may apply a range of sanctions when pupils breach the mobile phone policy, including confiscation of devices, detentions, or other appropriate disciplinary responses. Confiscation is legally protected where it is carried out lawfully and proportionately. When deciding on sanctions, schools must take account of the pupil’s age, SEND needs, and any other relevant personal circumstances. Where misuse of a mobile phone gives rise to a safeguarding concern, the Designated Safeguarding Lead must be involved in line with statutory safeguarding procedures.

Searching pupils

Schools have the statutory power to search pupils or their possessions for mobile phones where the device is identified as a prohibited item under school rules. Any search must be conducted in accordance with the Department for Education’s guidance on searching, screening, and confiscation to ensure consistency, safety, and legality.

Adaptations and reasonable adjustments

Schools must make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils where access to a mobile phone is necessary for them to manage their condition or disability effectively. Pupils with medical conditions such as diabetes may require supervised access to their phone if it is linked to a continuous glucose monitoring system. Flexibility may also be required for pupils with significant home‑based responsibilities, such as young carers. Any adjusted access must, however, take place at controlled times and in designated locations to maintain the integrity of the overall policy.

The use of mobile phones outside the school day

Schools should establish clear expectations regarding the use of mobile phones during trips, residentials, and activities that take place outside normal school hours to ensure that pupils’ educational experiences are not disrupted. When designing their policy, schools should also consider risks and safety needs related to pupils’ travel to and from school. Alongside implementing a mobile phone policy, schools should continue to strengthen their online safety practice and ensure that pupils and parents understand how to stay safe online.

Actions and Next Steps for Schools

Policy Development

• Update the behaviour policy or create a standalone mobile phone policy.
• Ensure the policy:
• Prohibits mobile phone use during the entire school day.
• Clearly defines what is included (smart watches, communication devices).
• Outlines sanctions and procedures.
• Details any approved exceptions (SEND, medical needs, safeguarding).

Implementation Planning

• Decide the operational model:
• Lockers, daily hand‑in, or a no‑device‑on‑site approach.
• Set expectations for sixth form separately if appropriate.
• Ensure office systems support communication from home.

Communication and Culture

• Publish the policy on the school website.
• Brief staff thoroughly to ensure consistent enforcement.
• Provide assemblies, tutor time sessions, and induction materials for pupils.
• Send a clear parent communication explaining rationale, expectations and processes.

Training and Staff Conduct

• Train staff on enforcement, confiscation, and when searches are permitted.
• Set expectations around staff mobile phone use in front of pupils.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

• Review SEND registers and medical needs to identify pupils requiring adjustments.
• Establish controlled access procedures (e.g., use in Head of Year office).
• Ensure DSL team is ready to respond if phone misuse signals safeguarding concerns.

Sanctions and Enforcement

• Decide proportionate confiscation periods and communicate them clearly.
• Ensure sanctions are fair, consistent and reflect individual circumstances.
• Log incidents to support pattern‑spotting and early intervention.

Monitoring and Review

• Evaluate how well the policy is working after implementation.
• Collect feedback from pupils, staff and parents.
• Review filtering and monitoring systems.
• Update the policy annually.

Read the full guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mobile-phones-in-schools/mobile-phones-in-schools

 

Read alongside Teaching Online Safety in Schools: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teaching-online-safety-in-schools

 

Read alongside Behaviour in Schools guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-in-schools--2