Education · 24 February 2026
House of Lords Backs Blanket Smartphone Ban in English Schools During School Hours
The House of Lords voted 178 to 140 in favour of an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would introduce a full smartphone ban across English schools, covering lessons, breaks and lunchtimes. The legislation now returns to the House of Commons for MPs to consider. The move follows mounting evidence that classroom phone bans improve grades and follows Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's existing guidance — which currently lacks legal force — advising schools to be phone-free throughout the day.
Reported by Positive News · How we write briefs