Headline: Government to Introduce Legal Ban on Smartphones in English Schools
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Why this matters: The policy aims to improve classroom behaviour, focus, and safeguarding by limiting smartphone use during school hours.
Date: 20 April 2026
Tags: UK Politics, Education, Technology
Summary:
UK government to introduce legal ban on smartphones in schools in England.
Amendment to Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will create statutory requirement for phone-free schools.
Jacqui Smith announced plan in House of Lords.
Bridget Phillipson previously urged schools to be phone-free all day.
Department for Education says policy gives legal backing to existing school practices.
Ofsted inspections will monitor schools’ mobile phone policies from April.
Conservatives welcomed move, calling it positive for behaviour and attainment.
Liberal Democrats urged government to provide funding and support for implementation.
School leaders say most schools already ban phones; legal change may have limited impact.
Calls made for funding for storage solutions and stronger regulation of social media use outside school.
What’s next: The amendment will progress through Parliament, with schools expected to comply once the law is enacted.
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