Pupils are to be banned from having phones in their bags or pockets during the school day under stricter government guidance in England. Ministers have said changes to recent statutory guidance will go beyond the current "no see, no hear" policies in place in some schools from September 2027. Lucy Powell, the education secretary, said the "clear message" to parents and pupils was that "school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling". Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner for England, has also welcomed strong action to stop phones distracting pupils, although the news has prompted warnings from headteachers' unions who fear schools will be unable to implement stricter new policies without additional government funding. By Hayley Clarke, BBC News. With additional reporting by Beth Rose and Nathan Standley. 

All children "deserve to feel safe, wherever they are", the Duke of Sussex has said in a keynote address during an online child safety event at the European Parliament in Brussels. Prince Harry's speech is part of his ongoing work to support families who have lost a child as a result of online harm through social media. Following the address, the Duke and the Duchess, Meghan, both longstanding campaigners for stronger online safety regulation, visited the Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation honouring children who have died after experiencing online harm. By Victoria Ward, The Telegraph. 

More than half of headteachers in England inspected under Ofsted's new framework are considering leaving the profession early as a result of the experience, a survey by the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has found. In response to the question of whether the inspection had affected how long they intend to stay in their role, 52 per cent of respondents said they were considering leaving their job sooner than planned, while almost two-thirds (64 per cent) said the new inspections were "much more intense" than under the previous regime. The findings come after education secretary Lucy Powell indicated she is looking at further changes to the inspectorate. By Sally Weale, The Guardian. 

In an article for School Management Plus, Philippa Scudds, director of marketing and communications at Port Regis and board trustee of HMC Projects, says schools should not overlook the value of personal connection in an increasingly digital-first admissions landscape. Highlighting the importance of meaningful engagement with families, she adds: "Listening to parental voice plays an increasingly important part of any school communications strategy in terms of both recruitment and retention. Families want to be heard, not herded."

Writing in Tes, Gavin Williams, principal and head of school at La Garenne International School in Switzerland, explains why it is so important that international boarding schools balance pastoral care with fostering independence. Emphasising the benefits of such an approach in all schools, not just boarding institutions overseas, he says: "Skilled pastoral care requires staff to recognise when to intervene and when to remain close by without taking over." 

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