The education secretary appeared at the Parliamentary education committee to answer questions.
Devon Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden questioned the Education Secretary about why the government has not instigated a complete ban on the use of smartphones in schools, she sighted incidences reported to her of headteachers being sworn at and spat at for banning phones. She felt that a statutory ban would take the responsibility away from the headteacher and make them less of a target for disgruntled parents. The education secretary said that heads already had the power to ban phones and it would also be possible to consider an authority wide ban of smartphones in schools, rather than the decision being taken at a national level.
It is reported that the Children’s Commissioner found almost all schools, 90% of secondaries and 99.8% of primaries restrict phones in some way. However, just 3.5 per cent are imposing total bans.
The government has repeatedly resisted calls for a statutory ban on phones in schools, with non-statutory guidance already encouraging schools to restrict their use.
14-05-2026