A smartphone ban in English schools is coming into force. What's changing?

A nationwide smartphone ban is coming into effect across nearly all schools in England, formalizing policies that have varied significantly between institutions. While many schools already restrict phone use, the new regulations aim for greater consistency and effectiveness.

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brick" or "dumb" phones are the only devices allowed, which can only be used to call or text and have very limited internet access.

Existing policies range from dedicated phone lockers and sealed pouches to allowing only basic "brick" or "dumb" phones with limited internet access. Some schools are investing in magnetically locked pouches to replace older "out-of-sight" policies. For students with medical needs, such as managing insulin pumps, Velcro-sealed pouches are being used, which staff report have made a "phenomenal difference."

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These types of pouches have already made a "phenomenal difference" at a school in Hull, the staff and pupils say.

Other schools enforce "no see, no hear" policies, allowing phones to remain with students as long as they are stored away and not visible or audible. The government has stated that head teachers are best placed to determine the most suitable phone ban strategy for their specific school environments and student populations.

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head teachers know their schools and pupils best, so can choose a way of delivering a phone ban that works for them.

However, some teaching unions believe the government should provide more support. Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has called for increased funding to help schools implement bans beyond the "no see, no hear" approach. This funding would assist with costs associated with secure storage solutions like lockers and specialized phone pouches.

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more funding to support bans beyond "no see, no hear", to help pay for things like lockers, secure storage areas or phone pouches.