The Department for Education has published strengthened guidance on mobile phones in schools in England, setting out that schools should go beyond a "not seen, not heard" approach, in which phones may remain in pupils' bags, and adopt whole-school strategies that keep phones out of use and inaccessible throughout the school day. Education Secretary Lucy Powell said children should not be using smartphones at any point during the school day.

The department cited evidence that phones cause distraction in lessons, and noted that only 16% of secondary pupils say phone rules are followed all of the time. It pointed to approaches already in use, such as lockable pouches, collection at the start of the day and secure storage. Children's Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza welcomed the move. The guidance was published alongside planned curriculum reforms and a new consultation on classroom technology, which will explore independent safety certification for EdTech.