Six new school rules are set to come into force across England from September 2026, introduced under the new Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Among the changes, one measure could save parents up to £50 on school uniform costs, while others include mandatory attendance targets, expanded free school meals, and a legal ban on mobile phones in schools.
Attendance targets for every state school
The Department for Education will set every mainstream state school in England its own target to improve pupil attendance. This comes as data from last month showed school absence rates remain above pre-pandemic levels, with nearly one in five pupils missing at least 10% of schooling in the 2025/26 academic year.
Schools will also be encouraged to offer more clubs and activities on Fridays to improve attendance at the end of the week. Education minister Paul Waugh said the new targets would take each school's local challenges into account, but that "every school has a role to play to improve attendance".
Benedict's Law and allergy safety
In February 2026, the Government formally passed Benedict's Law, committing to introduce mandatory, statutory allergy guidance for schools in England through the Department for Education. Schools are now expected to take clear, demonstrable action to improve allergy awareness, prevention, and emergency response.
The new statutory guidance is being consulted on and published in summer 2026 ahead of wider implementation in September. This represents a major step toward consistent, life-saving protections in every school, not optional best practice but expected compliance for all schools in England.
Branded uniform limit and free school meals
From September 2026, schools should not require parents and carers to buy more than three items of branded school uniform. Secondary and middle schools may ask for four items if a tie is one of them. Schools must also ensure second-hand uniforms are available and publish information on how to buy them on their website. If parents cannot afford the uniform or PE kit, they should contact the headteacher to check what support is available.
Additionally, all children in families who receive Universal Credit will now receive free school meals, as announced by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year. This is expected to lead to more than half a million more school pupils being entitled to free meals, saving families around £495 per year. However, research from Child Poverty Action Group revealed that more than half of parents with newly eligible children may not realise their kids qualify. To check eligibility, parents can register online using the Government Free School Meals page, or through their local council.
Mobile phone ban and DBS changes
Mobile phones will be completely banned in schools, following guidance that "all schools should be smartphone-free environments by default". This is now going to be law as part of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act, which passed in April. Head teachers are legally required to follow that guidance.
From 1 September 2026, volunteers who teach, train, instruct, care for, or supervise children frequently will require an Enhanced DBS check with a Children's Barred List check, even if they are supervised by a teacher or other staff member. Previously, people in such roles were not in regulated activity if someone else who is in regulated activity supervised them sufficiently. From 1 September 2026, this supervision rule will no longer apply, meaning organisations can ask for an Enhanced DBS check in the child workforce with a Children's Barred List check for those roles.
