Phones to be banned in schools by law in England, government says

Phones to be banned in schools by law in England, government saysJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNathan StandleyEducation reporterGetty ImagesThe government has said it will introduce a legal ban on smartphones in schools in England.Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told the House of Lords on Monday that the government would table an amendment to its landmark Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill "creating a clear legal requirement for schools" on the matter.The Department for Education (DfE) said the move would give "legal force to what schools are already doing in practice".Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had written to schools in January encouraging them to follow new guidance that schools be phone-free for the entire day.Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the amendment was "fantastic news for headteachers, parents and pupils across the country"."For over a year, Labour dismissed this as an unnecessary gimmick, and just last week the education minister claimed the problem had already been solved," she wrote on X."I'm glad they've now listened, this is the right step for improving behaviour and raising attainment in our classrooms."The Liberal Democrats said ministers must now "ensure all schools have the necessary support and funding to manage this transition". The party's schools spokesperson Caroline Voaden said they had "delivered a major win for pupils, teachers, and families" by "dragging the government" towards introducing a ban.Make sure pupils don't ever use phones at school, Phillipson tells teachersSocial media bans and digital curfews to be trialled on UK teenagersThe DfE said it had been "consistently clear that mobile phones have no place in schools" and that the majority already prohibit them.A spokesperson said the amendment "builds on the steps we've already taken to strengthen...