A ban on mobile phones in schools is reportedly set to be announced today (Monday). The Education Secretary is expected to make the announcement at the Conservative Party Conference, although heads will have discretion on how they implement it as it won't be legally binding.

Smartphones are reportedly set to be banned during the school day - including at breaktimes - as Gillian Keegan believes the devices distract children and can be used to bully others. The guidance, which is expected to be issued shortly, will say that children can bring in their phones so they can use them on the school run but the devices should be barred in class and during breaks.

Ms Keegan will unveil the plans today, according to the MirrorOnline. A source told the Daily Mail that the schools chief thinks smartphones "pose a serious challenge in terms of distraction, disruptive behaviour and bullying".

"It is one of the biggest issues that children and teachers have to grapple with so she will set out a way forward to empower teachers to ban mobiles from classrooms," the insider said.

Gavin Williamson, the former Education Secretary, pushed for a ban on mobiles in 2021, as he said smartphones were “not just distracting but they can have a damaging effect on a pupil’s mental health and wellbeing”. But the move was criticised by teaching unions, who branded it a distraction from the issues plaguing schools after the pandemic.

However his successor Nadhim Zahawi dropped plans for a blanket ban last year. The Department for Education said at the time that it was unnecessary as most schools were already taking action to curb mobile use in the classroom.

But rules vary across the country. Some schools do ban mobiles all day but others allow pupils to keep them in their bags and use them between lessons.

There is no blanket ban on smartphone use in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, where the devolved governments have powers over schools. France implemented a total phone ban in schools in 2018, along with tablets and smartwatches. The Netherlands is expected to follow suit next year.