Edinburgh Schools to Introduce ‘Bell to Bell’ Mobile Phone Ban From August
Edinburgh Council has approved a citywide “bell-to-bell” mobile phone ban across its schools, confirming restrictions will begin from the new school year in August 2026.
The policy was expected following earlier committee papers and local reporting last week, but councillors have now voted the plan through.
Secondary pupils will be asked to place phones in lockable pouches for the full school day, while primary pupils will have phones stored in locked cabinets.
The council says Edinburgh will be one of the first local authorities in Scotland to introduce widespread school phone restrictions across both primary and secondary schools.
What Is Changing?
From August, mobile phones will be restricted throughout the school day in Edinburgh schools.
For secondary pupils, the main change is the use of lockable phone pouches. Pupils will place their phones inside the pouches for the duration of the school day, rather than simply keeping them switched off in bags or pockets.
For primary school pupils, phones will be locked away in cabinets during the school day.
The council has described the policy as a “bell-to-bell” ban, meaning restrictions apply from the start of the school day until the final bell.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | What We Know |
|---|---|
| Start date | August 2026, from the new school year |
| Area covered | City of Edinburgh Council schools |
| Secondary schools | Phones placed in lockable pouches |
| Primary schools | Phones locked away in cabinets |
| Trial schools | Portobello High School and Queensferry High School |
| Budget | £400,000 one-off funding for pouches and cabinets |
| Consultation | Almost 14,000 responses from parents, pupils and school staff |
Why the Ban Is Being Introduced
The council says the change is aimed at reducing distraction during the school day and creating a more consistent phone policy across Edinburgh schools.
Phone restrictions have already been trialled at Portobello High School and Queensferry High School, where lockable pouches have been used since last year. The council says anecdotal feedback from staff and young people at both schools has been positive.
A six-week citywide consultation earlier in 2026 received almost 14,000 responses from parents and carers, pupils, and school staff.
According to Edinburgh Council, support for tighter restrictions was strong among adults:
- 97% of secondary school staff supported a ban
- 94% of parents and carers supported a ban
- 53% of young people supported restrictions during teaching time
The council also carried out separate engagements with groups, including secondary pupils, head teachers, unions, members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, and Edinburgh Youth Action.
What About Older Pupils?
There may be some flexibility for senior pupils.
The council says secondary school senior leadership teams will be able to develop their own guidance for S5 and S6 pupils. This could cover access to phones during break times, lunchtimes and independent study periods.
That means the policy may not look identical in every secondary school, especially for pupils in the senior phase.
Exemptions for Health and Caring Needs
The council says special consideration will be given to pupils who need phone access during the school day.
This includes pupils with health needs or caring responsibilities. Guidance will be developed for schools, including how exemptions should work in practice.
That detail matters, as some pupils may rely on phones for medical monitoring, family contact or caring duties.
How Much Will It Cost?
A one-off budget of £400,000 was agreed at the council’s annual budget meeting in February 2026.
The money will be used to buy lockable pouches for secondary schools and storage cabinets for primary schools. The council also plans to develop a procurement strategy for current and future pouch purchases.
What the Council Said
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor, said Edinburgh was taking a “monumental step” and described the aim as creating “phone-free environments” where teachers can teach and pupils can learn without classroom distraction.
He also said the use of lockable pouches across secondary schools would create a consistent approach for pupils across the city.
Our Take
This will be a big change for pupils, parents and school staff, but it’s also the kind of policy that only works if the details are clear.
The practical questions will come next. How will pouches be unlocked? What happens if a pupil forgets the rules? How will exemptions be handled without making individual pupils stand out?
Parents should get school-level guidance before the August term starts. Until then, the main point is simple: phone access during the school day is about to change across Edinburgh’s schools.
Source
- “Bell to bell” ban on mobile phones in all Edinburgh schools from August (City of Edinburgh Council / Edinburgh.gov.uk)