Make sure pupils don't ever use phones at school, Phillipson tells teachers

"In a letter to schools seen exclusively by the BBC, she said it was "not appropriate for phones to be used as calculators, or for research during lessons", as well as during break times and lunchtime."

"Ofsted will be inspecting schools on the implementation of their mobile phone policies going forward, she confirmed, with teachers also being advised not to use their phones in front of pupils."

"One head teachers' union said using Ofsted to "police" schools' mobile phone policies was "deeply unhelpful and misguided"."

The government guidance requires schools in England to be phone-free for the entire school day, banning phones for calculators or research during lessons and during break times and lunchtime. Ofsted will inspect schools on implementation of mobile phone policies, and teachers are advised not to use phones in front of pupils. A head teachers' union described using Ofsted to police policies as deeply unhelpful and misguided. Earlier guidance from February 2024 lacked clarity and consistency, prompting strengthened and explicit rules. A three-month consultation will consider banning social media for under-16s, and political figures expressed both support and criticism.

Read at www.bbc.com