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

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Guidance | Mobile Phones in Schools – Statutory DfE Guidance (June 2026)

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

This guidance became statutory guidance on 29 June 2026. Schools are expected to begin following it from 1 September 2026. It should be read alongside the Department for Education's Behaviour in Schools guidance and Keeping Children Safe in Education.

 


Purpose of the Guidance

The Department for Education (DfE) states that all schools should be mobile phone-free environments by default, with any alternative arrangements operating only by exception and where clearly justified. Schools should have a policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality throughout the school day. This includes lessons, movement between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. References to mobile phones should also be taken to include other communication and smart technologies where determined by the school's policy.

Prohibiting the use of Mobile Phones in School

All schools should operate as mobile phone-free environments by default. Behaviour policies should include a mobile phone policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality throughout the school day, including lessons, breaktimes, lunchtimes and the time between lessons. This includes devices capable of sending or receiving messages or notifications, and devices capable of recording audio or video.

Where schools operate a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scheme, laptops and tablets may be used in accordance with the school's ICT and Acceptable Use policies. Mobile phones should not form part of any BYOD scheme.

Boarding and residential schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones throughout the teaching day. Appropriate arrangements should be developed for use outside teaching hours that safeguard and promote pupils' welfare. This should include opportunities for boarders to communicate privately with their families at suitable times.

Schools may choose to permit sixth form students access to their mobile phones at limited times and locations to reflect increasing independence and responsibility. Such arrangements should not undermine expectations for younger pupils and should not permit sixth form students to use phones in front of younger pupils. Sixth form students remain subject to the school's behaviour policy and sanctions where misuse occurs.

Governors, trustees and proprietors should ensure that appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place and regularly reviewed in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education to prevent access to harmful or inappropriate content.

Implementing a policy on prohibiting the use of Mobile Phones

The DfE expects schools to implement policies that ensure pupils do not have access to their mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, movement between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime.

A school's mobile phone policy may form part of its behaviour policy or exist as a standalone document. The policy should be accessible, aligned with the school's culture, consistent and straightforward to follow. Effective implementation should ensure that all pupils and parents understand and meet expectations.

Schools may adopt a range of operational models, including:

  • Secure lockers for pupil devices.
  • Daily collection of devices at the start of the school day.
  • Alternative arrangements that prevent pupil access to mobile phones during the school day.

Many schools achieve success through clear communication with parents before pupils join the school and by ensuring the school office remains responsive to messages from home. This helps maintain parental confidence while removing unnecessary digital distraction during the school day.

Whatever model is adopted, the policy should be applied consistently, communicated clearly and supported by effective procedures.

Communicating the policy to pupils and parents

Communicating the school's behaviour policy, including its mobile phone expectations, is an important aspect of establishing and maintaining a positive school culture. School leaders should ensure that all staff, pupils and parents understand:

  • The mobile phone policy.
  • How it will be implemented.
  • The consequences of breaching the policy.
  • The rationale behind a mobile phone-free environment.

Schools should publish details of their policy so that expectations remain transparent and accessible to all members of the school community.

 

The Role of Staff

All staff should consistently enforce the school's policy on mobile phones. Consistency is essential in maintaining credibility and supporting positive behaviour.

Staff should avoid using personal mobile phones for personal reasons in front of pupils during the school day. This strengthens expectations and supports staff when challenging inappropriate pupil use.

Schools should provide clear guidance to staff regarding legitimate professional use of mobile devices, such as:

  • Multi-factor authentication.
  • Issuing homework.
  • Reward and behaviour systems.
  • Administrative or safeguarding functions.

Responsible bodies and school leaders should ensure expectations regarding staff mobile phone use are clear and understood.

Expectations for Pupils

Pupils should have a clear understanding of the school's mobile phone policy and the consequences of failing to comply. They should be reminded of expectations:

  • At the start of each school year.
  • During induction processes.
  • At regular intervals throughout the year where appropriate.

Schools should educate pupils about the risks associated with mobile phone use, including:

  • Reduced focus and concentration.
  • Classroom disruption.
  • Cyberbullying and other forms of bullying.
  • Sharing personal information online.
  • Online safety risks and inappropriate content.

Pupils should also be taught about the benefits of mobile phone-free environments and encouraged to see such environments as positive, helping develop intrinsic motivation to support the school's culture and expectations.

The Role of Parents

Parents have an important role in supporting the school's mobile phone expectations. Schools should clearly explain:

  • The policy.
  • The reasons for introducing or maintaining it.
  • The educational and wellbeing benefits.
  • Expectations for parental support.

Parents should be encouraged to reinforce the policy at home and discuss both the risks associated with mobile phone use and the benefits of mobile phone-free school environments.

Where parents need to contact their child during the school day, communication should be directed through the school office. Staff should be clear about arrangements for relaying messages and facilitating contact where necessary.

Any parental concerns should be addressed promptly, with clear explanations regarding the school's approach and expectations.

The use of Sanctions

Schools may use a range of lawful sanctions when pupils breach the mobile phone policy, including:

  • Confiscation of devices.
  • Detentions.
  • Other disciplinary responses appropriate to the school's behaviour policy.

Schools should feel confident in exercising their powers to confiscate mobile phones where school rules have been breached, including where a device is used or heard ringing during the school day. The law protects staff from liability for loss or damage to confiscated items where they have acted lawfully.

The DfE explicitly supports headteachers in confiscating mobile phones and similar devices for whatever period they consider proportionate. When determining proportionality, schools should consider:

  • The intended disciplinary outcome.
  • Whether alternative measures are available.
  • The pupil's age.
  • SEND needs.
  • Individual circumstances.

Where misuse of a mobile phone raises safeguarding concerns, staff should follow the school's safeguarding procedures and consult the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or deputy DSL. Consideration should be given to pastoral support, early help or referral to children's social care where appropriate.

Searching Pupils

Headteachers, and staff authorised by them, have statutory powers to search pupils or their possessions where there are reasonable grounds to suspect possession of a prohibited item or an item identified within school rules as searchable. Schools can and should identify mobile phones and similar devices as items that may be searched for within their behaviour policy.

Any search must be conducted in accordance with the DfE guidance Searching, Screening and Confiscation in Schools to ensure legality, consistency and safety.

Adaptations and reasonable adjustments

While schools are expected to prohibit the use of mobile phones throughout the school day, they must continue to comply with their legal duties, including obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Children and Families Act 2014.

Access to a mobile phone may constitute a reasonable adjustment for some disabled pupils. Preventing access in such circumstances could amount to a failure to make reasonable adjustments.

Schools must also support pupils with medical conditions. In some cases, this may require access to mobile-phone-linked technology. For example, pupils with diabetes may use continuous glucose monitoring systems linked to a mobile phone. Where the device enables effective management of a medical condition, schools should not prevent its use.

Schools should also consider flexibility for pupils whose personal circumstances create a legitimate need for limited access, including some young carers. Individual circumstances should be assessed on their merits.

Such flexibility should not result in unrestricted access. Schools should establish controlled arrangements allowing access only:

  • For approved purposes.
  • At agreed times.
  • In designated locations, such as a pastoral office or Head of Year office.

The use of Mobile Phones outside the School day

Schools should determine how they wish to manage the use of mobile phones during:

  • Educational visits.
  • Residential experiences.
  • Activities taking place outside the normal school day.

Schools should ensure that educational experiences are not disrupted by excessive mobile phone use and may choose to restrict or prohibit use during certain activities.

When developing mobile phone policies, schools should consider risks associated with pupils travelling to and from school and consult with parents where appropriate to address concerns and build support for the school's approach.

Schools should remain vigilant about online safety and ensure pupils are able to access their devices where necessary to report concerns relating to online harm, bullying or safeguarding matters. The introduction or review of a mobile phone policy also provides an opportunity to strengthen parental awareness of online safety.

Actions and next steps for Schools

Policy Development

  • Review and update the behaviour policy to include a mobile phone policy or create a standalone policy.
  • Ensure the policy:
    • Prohibits mobile phone use throughout the school day.
    • Defines mobile phones and other smart communication devices (including smart watches where appropriate).
    • Details sanctions and search powers.
    • Identifies exceptional circumstances and reasonable adjustments.
    • Aligns with safeguarding and behaviour procedures.

Governance and Compliance

  • Review existing arrangements against the June 2026 statutory guidance.
  • Ensure governors, trustees and proprietors understand their responsibilities.
  • Confirm filtering and monitoring systems are effective and regularly reviewed.
  • Ensure related policies are aligned, including Behaviour, Safeguarding, Online Safety, SEND and Medical Needs policies.

Implementation Planning

  • Decide the operational model:
    • Lockers.
    • Daily hand-in procedures.
    • Other structured approaches preventing access during the school day.
  • Establish procedures for sixth form arrangements where applicable.
  • Ensure reception and office systems can effectively manage parent-child communication.

Communication and Culture

  • Publish the policy on the school website.
  • Ensure all staff understand expectations and enforcement procedures.
  • Provide assemblies, tutor sessions and induction materials for pupils.
  • Remind pupils of expectations at the start of every academic year and periodically thereafter.
  • Communicate clearly with parents about:
    • The rationale.
    • Benefits.
    • Procedures.
    • Sanctions.

Training and Staff Conduct

  • Train staff on:
    • Consistent enforcement.
    • Confiscation procedures.
    • Searching powers.
    • Safeguarding implications.
  • Establish clear expectations regarding staff mobile phone use during the school day.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

  • Review SEND records to identify pupils requiring reasonable adjustments.
  • Review medical needs documentation and healthcare plans.
  • Consider arrangements for pupils with exceptional personal circumstances, including young carers.
  • Establish controlled access arrangements where required.
  • Ensure DSLs are prepared to respond where phone misuse may indicate risk of harm.

Sanctions and Enforcement

  • Establish proportionate confiscation procedures.
  • Ensure sanctions are applied consistently and fairly.
  • Consider age, SEND and individual circumstances when applying sanctions.
  • Record incidents to support monitoring, early intervention and pattern identification.

Monitoring and Review

  • Evaluate implementation regularly.
  • Gather feedback from pupils, staff and parents.
  • Monitor compliance and incident trends.
  • Review filtering and monitoring systems.
  • Review the policy annually or sooner following changes to statutory guidance or school circumstances.

The DfE's statutory expectation from September 2026 is that schools operate as mobile phone-free environments throughout the school day, with any access arrangements limited to clearly justified exceptions, supported by robust behaviour, safeguarding and inclusion practices.

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

 

KCSiE

 

Searching, Screening and Confiscation in Schools

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