Phones to be banned from pupils' bags or pockets under stricter rules for schools in England

Pupils will not be allowed to have their phones on them at all during the school day under stricter government guidance in England. Statutory guidance came into force in June, making schools and trusts legally responsible for being phone-free throughout the day. But head teachers' unions said schools would struggle to implement stricter new policies without additional funding from government.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said the government's "clear message" to parents and pupils was that "school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling". Schools will be able to decide how to follow the guidance. Some schools have invested in sealed pouches or secure lockers.

Others collect phones at the start of the day, or have prohibited them from sites altogether. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders union, said phones could raise "safety issues" and be an "unhelpful distraction" during the school day. But he said the more robust measures recommended under the new guidance would "come at a cost".