This article looks at what the guidance says and the questions schools should ask before choosing a phone-storage or charging solution.
What is changing for schools in England
The Department for Education's statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools applies to schools in England. It became statutory on 29 June 2026, and schools should begin following it from 1 September 2026.
Schools should be mobile phone-free by default. Pupils should not have access to mobile phones throughout the school day, including lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. Schools should also decide whether their policy covers other smart technology with similar communication or recording functions.
The guidance does not require every school to buy a particular type of locker. Headteachers decide how their school will meet the expectation within its own context. The guidance gives lockers and handing phones to staff as examples of approaches schools have adopted.
The policy needs a process behind it
A policy should explain not just what pupils cannot do, but how the daily process will work, who controls access and how families can make urgent contact.
A phone-free policy needs a routine behind it
Pupils and staff should know where devices go, who controls access and when phones can be collected. A predictable routine can support consistent enforcement and help staff plan for handover, storage and retrieval.
Schools should also give families a clear alternative for urgent contact during the school day. The guidance says parents should be directed to the school office, where staff should understand how to relay messages or facilitate contact when needed.
The same policy should set out how staff will respond to breaches, how confiscation will work where it is proportionate and how the school will manage journeys to and from school, trips, after-school activities and residential settings.
Do schools need phone storage or charging
The guidance focuses on restricting access, not on keeping devices charged. That means schools can assess whether they need secure storage, charging, or a combination of both.
Secure storage
A non-powered phone cabinet may suit a school that wants to keep devices organised and out of reach during the school day.
Powered charging
A powered charging locker may be more appropriate where recharging devices is part of the school's wider routine.
Check the detail
Compare capacity, connector types, device compatibility, cable management, ventilation, electrical requirements and maintenance.
A secure storage cabinet should not be assumed to charge phones simply because it is described as a locker.
What should schools look for
Capacity that matches the school day
Begin with pupil numbers, the number of devices likely to be stored and the time available for handover. Larger schools may need multiple storage points to avoid queues and delays.
Controlled access and accountability
Consider who holds keys or access credentials, how lost keys will be handled and how the school will respond to missing or damaged devices.
A suitable location
Assess the cabinet's footprint, visibility, access height and installation requirements. Powered models also need an appropriate nearby power supply.
Flexibility for individual pupils
The guidance says schools must consider reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils and arrangements for pupils with medical conditions or other circumstances that may require phone access.
Communication with staff, pupils and families
Publish the policy and explain the daily routine, the reasons for it, sanctions and the school-office contact process.
For example, a pupil with diabetes may use a continuous glucose monitor linked to a mobile phone. Where access is necessary, the school should define the specific purpose, time and location of use rather than applying a blanket arrangement.
Sixth-form pupils, boarding pupils and residential settings may also need additional arrangements. These should reflect the school's context while keeping the wider policy clear and consistent.
Staff should understand their responsibilities and model the expected behaviour. Pupils should be taught about both the risks of phone use and the benefits of a phone-free environment.
Secure phone storage for schools
A secure phone-storage option for schools
The Power Technologies CAB-CVC-N40K CellVault is a 40-slot secure phone locker cabinet.
The CAB-CVC-N40K as a non-powered storage cabinet for up to 40 phones. It has numbered bays, a keyed lock and see-through panels to support device identification.
- CapacityUp to 40 phones
- Storage typeNon-powered cabinet
- AccessKeyed lock
- IdentificationNumbered bays and see-through panels
- Dimensions52.6 cm high × 43.4 cm wide × 24.6 cm deep
Making the change work in practice
There is no single implementation model for every school. Some settings may choose staff collection, while others may prefer a lockable cabinet or a combination of approaches. The important point is that the equipment, policy and daily routine should work together.
Before launch, schools should:
- Align the mobile phone policy with the wider behaviour policy and safeguarding processes
- Map the handover, storage and collection routine around the school timetable
- Agree how staff will manage keys, access, exceptions, confiscation and urgent contact
- Communicate the approach clearly to pupils, parents and staff
- Review queues, exceptions, missing devices and policy breaches after launch
This gives school leaders a practical way to identify issues early and adapt the process where local circumstances require it.
Find a solution for your school
Secure storage can help schools put a clear phone-free routine into practice, while powered lockers may support settings with additional charging requirements. The appropriate route will depend on your pupils, your premises and the policy your school adopts.
This article summarises the Department for Education guidance for schools in England and is not legal advice. Recheck the official guidance and product specifications before publication or purchase.