Schools phone guidance highlights reasonable adjustment duties
2 mins read
Wednesday 1 July 2026
This advice applies in England only.
The Department for Education (DfE)’s guidance on mobile phones in school is now satutory. Schools will begin following the guidance from 1 September 2026. The guidance forms part of the DfE’s wider wellbeing guidance for schools.
Guidance enforces ban on phones in schools
Written following the government’s announcement in 2023 that it would ban mobile phones in schools, the guidance makes clear that schools should be phone-free by default.
Schools should develop a mobile phone policy, as part of wider behaviour policies. This should prohibit the use of phones throughout the day, including during and between lessons, at lunchtime and in breaks.
Schools must comply with reasonable adjustment duties
When the government announced the ban, we explained why some disabled children and those with special educational needs (SEN) may need a mobile phone in school.
We are pleased that the guidance makes clear that schools must comply with their legal duties toward disabled pupils. The guidance explains there may be cases where a disabled pupil having access to a mobile phone in school is considered a reasonable adjustment. Likewise, pupils might need to use a phone to manage medical needs in school. Schools will determine and develop relevant practices.
You can read the guidance in full on the government’s website.