Education Secretary Calls for Ban on Smartphones in Schools

Bridget Phillipson emphasizes the disruptive impact of mobile devices and pledges government support for stricter guidelines.

The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has asserted that smartphones have "no place" in schools, emphasizing their disruptive nature and the detrimental effects of social media on student behavior.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) in Liverpool, Phillipson indicated that school and college leaders have the full support of the government in removing mobile devices from classrooms.

Addressing around 1,000 educational leaders, Phillipson highlighted the need for improved monitoring of smartphone usage in schools across England.

Her comments followed a statement from ASCL president Manny Botwe, who remarked that smartphones and social media platforms are increasingly used against educational institutions, calling for a reduction in the chaos generated by these technologies.

During her address, Phillipson stated, "You know, we all know, that phones are disruptive, distracting, bad for behaviour.

They have no place in our schools." She reaffirmed the government's position, expressing a commitment to enforcing existing guidance on mobile phone usage established under the former Conservative government in February 2022. This guidance aimed to limit mobile phone usage during school hours.

In her remarks to the media at the conference, Phillipson reiterated that mobile phone usage can drive poor behavior in classrooms.

She urged school leaders to enforce the existing policies more rigorously, stating, "The Conservatives brought in this policy, I think it was the right approach to take, what we need to ensure is that it’s being enforced right across the country, in every classroom."

Phillipson also discussed parental roles in restricting phone usage at home, acknowledging concerns about children's exposure to inappropriate content online.

In response to questions, she stated, "I know lots of parents are worried about access to inappropriate material online and what children can be exposed to.

That’s why we are taking action through the Online Safety Act,” highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing online safety for children.

Additionally, the Education Secretary emphasized the importance of addressing pupil attendance, expressing dissatisfaction with the current rates of absenteeism in schools.

She called for schools to increase their efforts to ensure students are present and engaged in the classroom.

During a Q&A session, Phillipson addressed the support system for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), asserting the need for a re-evaluation of the current framework established by the 2014 reforms.

She expressed the desire for a more efficient system that allows for quicker identification and support for children requiring assistance.

Phillipson announced that Tom Rees, head of the government's expert advisory group on inclusion, will initiate a call for evidence on effective inclusion practices in mainstream schools.

This effort is part of a broader strategy to improve educational outcomes and support systems within the UK educational landscape.