The amendment comes amid broad support for banning phones during the school day, with Ofsted set to consider school phone policies in inspections from this month.

The Government intends to amend the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in the Lords to elevate current guidance on mobile phone bans into statutory law, making phone restrictions in schools a legal requirement.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has urged headteachers to enforce phone-free days, while current guidance has not been statutory.

A government source criticizes opposition parties for attempting to block parts of the legislation, arguing past child-protection failures warrant swift passage.

The same source cites past welfare failures and recent attempts to address them as justification for moving quickly with the measures.

Education Secretary and Skills Minister stress the policy as child safeguarding on a large scale, addressing concerns about implementation and framing the Bill as a major safeguard measure.

The Prime Minister met with executives from Meta, Snap, Google, TikTok and X at Downing Street, while opposition leader Keir Starmer argued social media poses risks to children and backs tighter controls if needed.

Some opposition proposals include carve-outs for sixth formers, medical devices, and certain boarding settings, and these provisions will face further scrutiny in the Commons.

The Bill would grant ministers a flexible power to curb children’s use of social media, potentially including curfews, scrolling limits, and restrictions on location sharing.

Education stakeholders note practical needs, such as funding for secure storage like lockers or pouches, and acknowledge some schools will need time to inform parents and pupils about the policy.

Debate also touches on funding for secure phone storage and broader regulatory actions to address social media harm outside school hours.

Key voices from the Department for Education say the policy aligns with current practice; Liberal Democrats view it as a win for pupils and families; National Association of Head Teachers welcomes statutory guidance for clarity.