𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Teachers should lock phones away or ban them entirely, the government has urged schools in fresh guidance. Ministers are pushing for “truly phone-free schools” to avoid distraction and disruptions during lessons. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott MP said: “I am delighted that Labour have finally listened to us and agreed to properly ban smartphones in schools. This sudden outbreak of common sense is welcome, but we are lacking joined up thinking from Labour when it comes to technology in schools.”

Labour’s guidance wants to encourage schools to force pupils to store phones in lockers throughout the day. This is to move away from the current approach of “not seen, not heard” which applied when phones are still accessible to youngsters in their bags.

Only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules suggesting devices should not be “seen or heard” are followed all of the time, the government said. Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: “Children should not be using smartphones at any point during the school day, full stop. That’s why we’re strengthening our guidance to take the next leap towards truly phone-free schools.

“Schools are already leading the way. We’re backing heads and teachers with a clear message for parents and pupils: school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling.

“Alongside our curriculum reforms, this is about making school unmissable – giving every child more chances to learn, connect and thrive.”

Labour has moved to clamp down on phone usage among youngsters with a social media ban for under-16s coming into force from March 2027.

See more of the stories you love from Daily Express and find us easily in Google by making us a Preferred Source. Free and easy-to-do, just click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.