19 January – the DfE have strengthened the (non-statutory) guidance on mobile phone use at school . Bridget Phillipson has said, “all schools should be phone-free environments for the entire school day. That includes lessons, time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. It means, for example, it is not appropriate for phones to be used as calculators, or for research during lessons.”
You can find the guidance here.
23 January – Ofsted published a blog titled ‘What the government’s updated guidance on mobile phones means for school inspections’, outlining how mobile phones will be considered in future inspections. School leaders should note that from 1 April 2026, inspectors will:
- discuss with leaders what their policy is on mobile phones and how this is communicated to parents and to pupils
- evaluate whether staff and pupils understand the expectations around mobile phones
- determine how consistently the school’s mobile phone policy is being followed and its impact on pupils’ learning, behaviour and wellbeing
