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Mobile phone bans and new ‘minimum expectations’ for parents under school reform plans

Mobile phone bans and new ‘minimum expectations’ for parents under school reform plans

From phone-free classrooms to clearer rules on what schools expect from families, here’s what the new reforms mean for parents.

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Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: February 23, 2026 at 12:11 PM

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Mobile phone-free classrooms and new “minimum expectations” for parents are set to become part of everyday school life under sweeping education reforms announced this week.

Alongside major changes to SEND support, ministers have outlined a stronger push on behaviour, attendance and home-to-school relationships, signalling that parents will be expected to play a more defined role in their child’s education.

For busy mums already juggling work, WhatsApp groups and homework battles, the question is simple: what exactly will schools expect from us?

Mobile phone-free schools

Under the new plans, schools will be expected to provide “mobile phone-free environments” as part of a drive to create calm, safe classrooms.

The reforms promise:

High expectations for all children
A “support first” approach to behaviour
Calm and caring learning environments
Mobile phone-free environments

While many primary schools already restrict phones, this is likely to have the biggest impact in secondary settings, where policies vary widely.

For parents, it could mean:

No phones during the school day, including breaktimes
Stricter confiscation policies
Clearer rules around smartwatches and devices

Ministers say the aim is to reduce distractions, improve focus and strengthen behaviour standards. For families of teens, though, it may raise practical concerns around after-school contact and travel safety.

‘Minimum expectations’ for home-to-school partnerships

One of the most eye-catching elements of the reforms is the introduction of minimum expectations for home-to-school partnerships.

The government says that a third of primary parents and half of secondary parents feel they do not get enough information about how to support their child’s learning at home.

In response, schools will be expected to provide:

Clear, timely communication about attendance, behaviour, progress and events
Information on how to support learning at home
Support during transitions between schools and key stages
Regular opportunities for parents to be part of school life

While much of this focuses on what schools must deliver, it also signals a stronger emphasis on parental engagement and shared responsibility.

A sharper focus on attendance

Attendance is another major theme.

The reforms highlight that around 1.5 million children were missing a day or more of school every fortnight in summer 2024.

Every school will receive a personalised attendance improvement target, and there will be national guidance aimed at making expectations more consistent.

Schools are expected to work closely with families to identify barriers to attendance, including mental health, special educational needs or family pressures. However, there is also a clear message that attendance matters and that parents will be part of the solution.

For families already struggling with school anxiety or emotionally based school avoidance, this will be an area to watch closely.

More tools, but also more structure

The reforms also introduce new tools for parents, including:

New School Profiles, bringing key information about schools together in one place
An Online Family Support hub with age-appropriate guidance
New screen time guidance for under-fives and for children aged 5 to 16
An improved complaints system

On paper, this promises clearer information and easier routes when things go wrong.

But taken together, phone bans, attendance targets and defined home-school expectations signal a shift towards a more structured, more accountable school culture.

What this means for families

For many parents, much of this will feel familiar. Schools already communicate about attendance, behaviour and homework, and many have strict phone policies in place.

The difference now is consistency and national direction.

The government says this is about partnership, not pressure. Schools and families, ministers argue, must work together to create environments where children “belong, achieve and thrive”.

For mums navigating packed calendars and teenage pushback, the reforms may feel like one more layer of responsibility. Equally, clearer communication and consistent rules could reduce some of the grey areas that often cause tension between home and school.

As consultation continues, the practical detail will matter most. Because when policies move from documents to classrooms, it’s families who feel the impact first.

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.