Ban phones in schools, says minister Nick Gibb

Pupils should be banned from taking smartphones into school, the minister for school standards in England has told the BBC.

Nick Gibb spoke out ahead of the government publishing new guidance for schools, expected to address internet safety, social media and online gaming.

It is expected to say children should be taught to limit the amount of time they spend online.

Schools have the power to ban phones from being taken on to the premises.

But government policy is that it is the responsibility of head teachers to determine whether this is appropriate.

20/05/19Kent's best and worst secondary schools based on 2018 GCSE results

Statistics from the Department for Education show how well schools in Kent performed in last year's exams

14/05/19Family jumps to defence of Chilton Primary School in Ramsgate after child escapes under gate

The child was quickly returned to the school and is now safe and well

10/05/19Shrinking break times in English schools 'impacting social skills'

Afternoon break virtually eliminated and older pupils losing over an hour a week, finds study

07/05/19Don't blame teachers for letting down excluded pupils - blame ministers | Gaby Hinsliff

Something is going very wrong for vulnerable kids – but is the school to blame? Schools should be accountable for exclusions, but so should the ministers who have cut vital services

03/05/19Hinds asks heads how to solve special-needs budget squeeze

Schools are facing "knock-on pressure" as demand for special-needs support rises, England's Education Secretary, Damian Hinds, is expected to admit to head teachers later.