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Managing mobile phones in school

Get to grips with the DfE's statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools, which you should begin following from 1 September 2026. Decide on your approach, and see examples of what other schools are doing.

Updated
on 9 July 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 48589
Contents
  1. DfE guidance says schools should be phone-free
  2. Choose the best approach for your school
  3. Put in place a clear mobile phone policy
  4. Think about individual pupil needs
  5. Tell staff, parents/carers and pupils the rules
  6. Make sure your staff lead by example

DfE guidance says schools should be phone-free

The Department for Education (DfE)'s statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools says schools should be mobile phone-free 'by default' from 1 September 2026.

Phone-free means mobile phones (and similar devices) are prohibited throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, break and lunchtime. 

Anything other than this should be by exception only.

This expectation to be mobile-phone free is also set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026.

Ofsted will look at your mobile phone policy

Inspectors will discuss your policy on mobile phones, and how consistently it's being followed, as part of the attendance and behaviour evaluation area. 

Find out more about how Ofsted inspects attendance and behaviour.

Choose the best approach for your school

The DfE sets out examples of how other schools have successfully created a mobile-phone-free environment