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Revised guidance for 2026

ThisDfE published revised guidance on mobile phones in schools in January 2026. We advise schools to start using this guidance from April 2026.

‘Mobile phones in schools’ explains how to develop, implement and maintain a policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones in school.

‘Communicating Ityour policy for prohibiting the use of mobile phones in schools to parents’ has guidance on how to communicate with parents about your policy and facts and figures to support discussions.

‘Creating a mobile phone-free environment: school case studies’ gives examples of how primary and secondary schools have successfully implemented a mobile phone free-school environment.

This guidance should be read alongside the guidance on:

• behaviour in schools
• keeping children safe in education

It is for:

• multi-academy trusts
• trust boards and proprietors
• governing bodies
• school leaders and staff
• local authorities

It applies to all:

• maintained schools
• academies
• free schools
• non-maintained special schools
• independent schools