Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance he has issued to schools on restricting the use of smart phones in schools.

Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools: Head teachers have powers to set school behaviour policies, including rules for mobile phone use. Schools can therefore choose to ban or limit the use of smart phone or tablets on school premises during the school day. Schools should make any policies on smart phones or tablets known to all staff, pupils and parents. These policies should outline any sanctions that will be imposed if pupils break these rules. The guidance on behavioural policies can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-and-discipline-in-schools.

The Bennett Review of behaviour in schools includes a chapter about the use of technology in schools and case studies of policies in place. The report, which was published in 2018, can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/behaviour-in-schools.

Hansard

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