Parents and staff back phone restrictions in Edinburgh schools

Parents and staff have overwhelmingly backed restricting pupils' mobile phone usage in Edinburgh secondary schools.

A consultation on the use of devices during the day attracted almost 14,000 responses following a trial at two city schools last year.

About 97% of secondary school staff and 94% of parents were in favour of limiting students' access to phones, either by locking them in a pouch or taking them away until the end of classes.

City of Edinburgh Council said results of the survey would be used in a decision on the local authority's policy later this year.

The Scottish government introduced guidance allowing headteachers to introduce phone bans in schools in 2024.

It came after a 2022 study which showed about a third of pupils in Scottish classrooms admitted they had been distracted by the devices.

A pilot scheme, launched in May last year, saw students at Portobello and Queensferry High Schools sealing their phones in "Yondr" pouches – which could only be opened at the end of the day for most pupils.

The consultation, which ran for six weeks, asked students, parents and teachers from across the city about their views on the scheme.

About 53% of secondary school pupils surveyed favoured restrictions, but with access to the devices during break and lunchtimes.

Only 3% of pupils backed a whole-day ban, compared to 57% of staff and 54% of parents.

The consultation also found 40% of staff and 40% of teachers would be in favour of partial restrictions, allowing pupils to use their devices at certain times.

Under the pilot scheme, first to fifth year pupils were barred from using their phones for the whole day, while sixth year students were able to unlock their devices in the senior common room.

The magnetic pouches are similar to those used by some musicians, including Bob Dylan, Childish Gambino and Jack White, who have previously banned phones from their concerts.

In September 2025, councillors agreed to restrict the use of mobile phones in schools, with the preferred option the use of lockable pouches to support restrictions on mobile phone use across all secondary schools, and lockable cabinets in primary schools.

A total of 13,930 people responded to the consultation.

Several other Scottish councils have taken steps to regulate the use of phones in classrooms.

At Inverness Royal Academy in the Highlands, phone signals are blocked inside the building, while only staff are given access to password-protected wi-fi.

Pupils can still access a signal in the school grounds.

The rollout of the Edinburgh ban could cost up to £495,000 a year, the council said last year.

The local authority said special consideration would be given for pupils with health needs or caring responsibilities who may need access to their mobile phone during the school day.

A report analysing the findings is due to go before the education, children and families committee in June.