Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the use of smart phones in schools on levels of disruption in classrooms.

Mobile phones have no place in our schools.

Calm, consistent, distraction-free classroom environments benefit all children.

This government is closely monitoring the problem of phones in schools, working closely with the sector.

We will always take the right action to make sure all schools are mobile phone-free environments.

The department’s guidance on mobile phones in schools, published in February 2024, is clear that schools should prohibit the use of devices with smart technology throughout the school day, including during lessons, transitions and breaks.

The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning.