School phone policies in England a ‘huge drain’ on staff resources – study

The government recently issued new guidance calling for schools to be phone-free, including during breaks and lunchtimes. Photograph: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Getty Images

Smartphone policies in English secondary schools are a “huge drain” on resources, with staff spending on average more than 100 hours a week enforcing restrictions, according to research.

Teachers, teaching assistants, caretakers and receptionists are involved with helping to police pupils’ smartphone use in school, researchers said, with multiple staff recording incidents, overseeing detentions and communicating with parents.