Smartphones are now banned in schools, but teachers are divided on how to enforce it

This week, schools have reopened for the new academic year tasked with a huge responsibility – keeping children off their mobile phones.

Bans and restrictions on smartphones have been commonplace across schools for years as teachers grapple with keeping classrooms distraction free. But from Tuesday 1 September, new guidance from the government means every school must now have a policy in place to stop children accessing their phones during the school day.