PUPILS at schools with a strict mobiles ban get better GCSEs than those with lax phone use rules, a report shows.
Youngsters whose devices are stored or locked away all day get exam results which are one or two grades higher, a study found.
Secondary schools with an “effective ban” were also more than twice as likely to get an “Outstanding” rating by Ofsted.
The findings follow a questionnaire into mobile phone policy at primary and secondary schools by think-tank Policy Exchange, to which 407 responded.
Categories were classified as: effective ban, no ban, allowing use at breaks, and a ban with permission to carry in a bag.
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Almost all primaries adopted the first, toughest option but only 11 per cent of secondaries.
In the report, Prof Jonathan Haidt said a ban works only when devices are locked up for the whole school day.
He said: “We can give them (pupils) six or seven hours each school day in which they can be fully present to learn, connect and flourish.”
New Government guidance says heads should ban phones.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Mobile phones distract and disrupt a child’s education.
"They have no place in classrooms.”
Conservative MP Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “Mobile phones disrupt education and worsen educational outcomes.”
The report comes as kids face curbs on their social media access, with ministers considering fining app owners if they fail to block under-13s’ accounts.
Parents may also be consulted on the right amount of time online for their children and the impact on mental health.
A recent poll for Parentkind found most parents back a social media ban for under-16s.
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Back in February, schools in England were given guidance to stop the use of phones during the school day to minimise disruption and improve behaviour.
