Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern has praised three local secondary schools for leading the way on keeping mobile phones out of classrooms, while calling for safeguards around artificial intelligence in education.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday 10 November, the Labour MP highlighted The Priory School, Hitchin Boys' School and Hitchin Girls' School during an exchange on mobile phones in schools.

Mr Strathern said: "It was great to see local schools like the Priory and Hitchin Boys' and Girls' lead the way on keeping phones out of the classroom.

"Having campaigned with parents and teachers to make this a norm, I am delighted that the Government are leading on this issue."

He also warned that the growing use of generative AI could pose challenges for children's learning, urging ministers to take action to prevent harmful uses becoming commonplace.

"As others have alluded to, the growth of generative AI is threatening to tread on children's learning in the same way that smartphones did; just as we did with smartphones, we should not treat that as inevitable or unavoidable," he said.

"How does the Minister intend to support our schools to ensure that generative AI can be used as an effective tool to support learning, but kept out of the spaces where it can be harmful to learning?"

Responding, education minister Josh MacAlister praised Mr Strathern's campaigning and described seeing AI tools in Estonia designed to coach pupils through questions and discussion.

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He said such technology would require rigorous testing to establish whether it improved educational outcomes before being deployed.

The exchange followed the Government's announcement of strengthened guidance intended to ensure pupils cannot keep unsecured mobile phones in their bags or blazers during the school day.

Schools would retain flexibility over how to implement the rules, including collecting phones, using secure lockers or providing lockable pouches.

The revised guidance is due to take effect in September 2027, with schools encouraged to act sooner where possible. Appropriate exemptions and adjustments would remain available, including for pupils with medical needs or special educational needs and disabilities.