England’s Education Secretary Urges Phone-Free School Days

On 26 January 2026, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson wrote to headteachers across England, urging schools to prohibit mobile phone use throughout the entire school day. This guidance applies to lessons, breaks, lunch periods, and times between classes.

Phillipson’s letter stated that mobile phones should not be used as calculators or for research during lessons. The letter also encouraged parents to support schools in consistently enforcing these restrictions.

Ofsted will be responsible for monitoring how effectively schools implement their mobile phone policies. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology announced plans to take immediate steps regarding children’s use of social media as part of this initiative.

Previous guidance from the Department for Education in February 2024 recommended banning mobile phone use during the school day, including at break times. Despite these recommendations, unauthorized phone use has remained common, particularly among older students.

What the numbers show

• As of 2025, 99.9% of primary schools in England had mobile phone policies
• In 2025, 90% of secondary schools reported having mobile phone restrictions
• An April 2025 survey found 99.8% of primary schools enforced restrictions during school hours

National surveys conducted in 2025 indicated that nearly all primary schools and a large majority of secondary schools in England had already implemented some form of mobile phone restriction during school hours. However, reports showed that unauthorized use continued to be an issue, especially among older students.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s involvement in the initiative includes plans for immediate action on children’s social media activity. This forms part of a broader effort to address digital device use among students.

Phillipson’s letter to headteachers outlined expectations for consistent enforcement and called for parental support to help schools maintain phone-free environments. The guidance emphasized that mobile phones should not be used in any capacity during lessons, including as educational tools.

With Ofsted monitoring compliance, schools are expected to review and strengthen their mobile phone policies. The Department for Education’s earlier guidance and recent survey data both indicate widespread adoption of restrictions, but ongoing enforcement remains a focus for education authorities.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.