If you were unable to join us for the 'Developing and Implementing an AI Strategy in Schools' online community meeting, don't worry! You can catch up on all the content and a recording of the session below.

Developing and Implementing an AI Strategy in Schools

Key Takeaways

1. AI is already shaping education, and schools must decide whether to lead this change strategically or react without a plan.

2. An AI strategy should align with school values, governance structures, and curriculum goals to ensure responsible and effective implementation.

3. Teachers need AI literacy training to confidently use AI tools without fear of undermining their professional judgement.

4. AI should support, not replace, human decision-making in education—strategic oversight is crucial.

5. Collaboration with other schools, education technology providers, and experts is key to developing a sustainable AI strategy.

AI in Education: A Strategic Imperative

AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is already present in classrooms through tools like adaptive learning platforms, voice assistants, and chatbots. However, there is a disconnect—77% of students aged 13-18 report using AI tools, while only 48% of teachers do the same. This raises an important question: how can schools bridge this gap and ensure AI is used effectively and ethically?

Julie Carson, Director of Education at Woodland Academy Trust, shared her insights on the importance of an AI strategy. Without a clear plan, AI adoption can lead to unintended consequences, including data privacy risks and inequitable access. Instead of waiting for government guidance, Julie advocates for a proactive approach, ensuring AI serves education rather than dictating its direction.

Building an AI Strategy: Key Considerations

Developing an AI strategy requires aligning initiatives with school values, addressing governance and ethics, and ensuring AI literacy among all stakeholders—teachers, students, and parents. Julie emphasised that AI should be embedded across school policies rather than treated as a standalone element. For example, instead of having a separate AI policy, Woodland Academy Trust integrates AI considerations into existing policies on marking and feedback, safeguarding, and data protection.

Steps to Implementing an AI Strategy

1. Define Your Vision: Start by identifying the key educational priorities that AI can support, rather than focusing on the technology itself.

2. Evaluate and Select Tools: Research AI tools that align with your goals, considering factors such as cost, data privacy compliance, and ease of integration.

3. Pilot and Assess: Trial AI solutions on a small scale before full implementation, ensuring they meet their intended outcomes.

4. Ensure Continuous Evaluation: AI in education evolves rapidly, so strategies must be reviewed regularly to remain effective and aligned with school needs.

5. Prioritise Professional Development: Provide teachers with the necessary training to use AI effectively and critically in the classroom.

Overcoming Challenges

Resistance to change is a major hurdle, often stemming from fears that AI will replace teachers. To address this, schools should involve educators early in the process, provide clear rationales for AI adoption, and highlight real-world success stories. Data privacy is another concern—schools must conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and ensure compliance with regulations before implementing AI tools.

Next Steps: Questions for Reflection

• How could AI be used to support specific school improvement priorities?

• What governance structures do we need to ensure ethical and responsible AI use?

• How can we integrate AI literacy into teacher CPD and student learning?

• Are there existing AI tools that align with our school's needs, and how can we trial them effectively?

Example Exercises for the Classroom

• Critical AI Literacy: Encourage students to analyse AI-generated content for bias and misinformation.

• AI in Everyday Life: Task students with identifying AI tools they already use and discussing their impact.

• Teacher-AI Collaboration: Use AI-powered feedback tools to enhance, rather than replace, personalised student support.

Further Resources

CAS AI Community

The Shape of the Future Report

Good Future Foundation AI Quality Mark event 

Primary Computing Substantive Knowledge (including AI)

Session recording

AI Adventure resource

How to use AI responsibly (for ages 13+)

AI Explorers resource