NewsStory

England plans clearer guidance to keep phones out of pupils’ reach during school

KROV newsroom

11 Nov 2026, 9:30 am IST1 min read

DiscussionThe story behind the news.

AI-generated illustration of a phone being put into a pouch on a school desk.

England’s Department for Education plans to revise its school phone guidance so pupils cannot routinely reach their phones at any point in the school day. In a November 10 announcement, the department cited examples already in use at some schools: collecting phones on arrival, putting them in secure storage or using lockable pouches. It did not give a date for the revised guidance.

England already has statutory guidance on prohibiting pupil phone use during lessons, breaks and lunch. That guidance asks schools to make reasonable adjustments where needed, including where a pupil relies on a phone for a medical condition. The November announcement focuses on how schools keep phones inaccessible in practice.

Cover image is an AI-generated editorial illustration.

Sources and credits

Credit: Department for Education (England) · Summarised/translated by KROV · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

More context. A clearer perspective.

KROV · CONVERSATION

Comments

Share your perspective respectfully. Comments appear after review. Please do not share personal information.

Loading comments…

England seeks views on safety certification for school technology and AI

EU education package sets out school AI pilot and proposals on teacher shortages

Women accounted for 41% of the EU’s scientists and engineers in 2025

Affle commits to funding one IIIT Hyderabad doctoral researcher a year for 20 years

Japan and Vietnam sign nuclear power and AI research memorandums