Why Phillipson’s urgent call to ban phones in schools is gaining momentum among teachers

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by BBC, click this post to read the original article.

As a student, you may soon have to keep your phone away for the entire school day, if you’re in England. The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, announced that all schools should follow new guidance making schools phone-free during lessons, breaks, and lunchtimes. She emphasized that phones shouldn’t be used even as calculators or for research in class. Teachers are also being advised not to use their phones in front of students, and Ofsted will inspect how schools enforce their mobile phone policies moving forward.

The decision strengthens earlier guidance, which Phillipson said lacked clarity. While the measures aim to reduce distractions in learning environments, some school leaders have voiced concern. One head teachers’ union criticized using Ofsted to monitor mobile phone policies, calling it unhelpful. Meanwhile, supporters, including teachers and parents, acknowledged that excessive screen time presents a problem but also stressed the need to prepare students for a tech-driven world.

You might also hear about a wider debate on children’s access to phones and social media. The government recently launched a three-month consultation on banning social media for under-16s across the UK. Teachers are being encouraged to share their input, while some politicians argue the government should move faster on such changes. Measures like these follow high-profile cases of online harm among young people.

Teacher survey results suggest that most primary school staff only use phones during breaks, while almost half of secondary teachers use them freely. Still, few schools completely ban staff phone use. Despite mixed opinions, some schools like St Joseph’s High School have already implemented strict mobile rules, citing benefits for focus and wellbeing. However, even strong supporters say that teaching responsible use is just as important as restrictions.

If you’re studying in other parts of the UK, rules may vary. In Wales, schools manage their own policies without an outright ban. Scotland and Northern Ireland have issued guidance or campaigns to limit phone use, but they leave much of the decision-making to individual schools and parents. So, depending on where you are, the experience with phones in school could be very different.