England schools to ban mobile phones completely from September 2027

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 10:59 · Archive

Pupils in England will be banned from having mobile phones in their bags or pockets during the school day from September 2027.

From September 2027, pupils in England will be banned from having mobile phones in their bags or pockets during the school day. This marks a significant tightening of current guidance, which permits phones in bags provided they are 'not seen or heard'.

The government has introduced the new rules citing concerns that mobile devices distract pupils from learning and social interaction, even when stored out of sight. Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: 'School is for learning and friendship, not scrolling.'

Schools will be given flexibility in how they enforce the ban. Options include collecting phones at the start of the day, providing secure lockers for storage, or requiring pupils to place devices in sealed pouches.

While many educators support the move, school leaders' unions have raised concerns about implementation and costs. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders union, warned that the tougher measures would 'come at a cost'. Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, noted that schools 'cannot simply make mobile phones disappear' and warned that providing lockable pouches or secure storage facilities for every pupil would involve 'very significant' expense.

How it is being reported

• Phones to be banned from school pupils' bags as new rules come into forcePupils in England will be banned from having mobile phones in their bags or pockets during the school day, as stricter rules are being introduced.Swindon Advertiser · 10 Nov, 10:16
• Phones to be banned from school pupils' bags as new rules come into forcePupils in England will be banned from having mobile phones in their bags or pockets during the school day, as stricter rules are being introduced.Wiltshire Times · 10 Nov, 10:16
• Phones to be banned from school pupils' bags as new rules come into forcePupils in England will be banned from having mobile phones in their bags or pockets during the school day, as stricter rules are being introduced.Gazette & Herald · 10 Nov, 10:16

In this story: England · Lucy Powell · Paul Whiteman · Pepe Di'Iasio · NAHT · Association of School and College Leaders

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log