AI in schools & colleges

Teachers use of AI

The introduction of AI - and in particular generative AI – into the mainstream has affected every area of education. It is changing how pupils learn and complete work, how teachers assess and set tasks, and how exam boards and the regulator set guidelines to maintain standards and fairness.

Our research shows, there is great uncertainty around policies, best practice and guidance around how AI can and should be used across the education system.

BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT wanted to understand teachers’ attitudes towards AI, how they were using it in 2024, and how they perceive their own schools’ approach to challenges like plagiarism and assessment.

This research study was conducted between April – June 2024 in two parts. Firstly, 20 one hour long qualitative depth interviews with a range of secondary school teachers informed the development of a quantitative survey. In part two 5,298 secondary school teachers across the UK completed the survey covering 2600 schools.

You can find the report by clicking here

At the same time, as our research shows, there is great uncertainty around policies, best practice and guidance around how AI can and should be used across the education system.

BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT and CAS wanted to understand teachers’ attitudes towards AI, how they were using it in 2024, and how they perceive their own schools’ approach to challenges like plagiarism and assessment.

This research study was conducted between April – June 2024 in two parts. Firstly, 20 one hour long qualitative depth interviews with a range of secondary school teachers informed the development of a quantitative survey. In part two 5,298 secondary school teachers across the UK completed the survey covering 2600 schools (Reference 1).

The large sample size enabled us look at a range of demographic parameters to see if there were differences, identifying them across geography, private vs state schools, subjects, new vs experienced teachers, age and gender.

The findings revealed that:

Most teachers (67%) got their introduction to AI via ChatGPT. However, it quickly gained a negative reputation, often seen a way to ‘cheat at homework’ and presenting challenges around fair assessment.
Most teachers we asked (64%) are not using ChatGPT at all, and of those 19% said they were ‘not interested’ in using AI in future.
Some 41% of teachers said their school did not have an agreed approach to AI, and 17% didn’t know what, if any, policy their school had agreed.
41% of teachers are regularly checking homework / coursework for plagiarism content from the web.
The most common uses of AI by teachers were for creating quizzes and test materials – although some we surveyed used it to help them write communications to parents and reports.
Several teachers who are using AI told us they were reluctant to discuss the use of AI with their department heads and headteachers.
There are still very clear barriers to more widespread uptake of AI by secondary school teachers, ranging from lack of an AI policy in school to lack of formal training, to the negativity surrounding the launch of AI / Chat GPT.

Our AI Community lets you connect with other educators. You can keep up to date with AI news, events and resources when you join the community. You can use the forum to ask for help or how others are approaching AI in their setting.

Click here to access the AI Forum

Click here to join events and conversations

Videos to highlight how to get the best out of AI as a teacher

Getting Started

How to write a prompt

Lesson Planning with AI

Stunning schemes of work with ChatGPT

Writing a lesson plan

Using YouTube and Generative AI

Misconception Support

Lesson Planning with AI

Creating homework tasks

Engaging lesson ideas

Student Support using AI

Using CoPilot as a tutor

Creating a revision page using Perplexity Pro

Creating revision presentations using Gamma

Assessment with AI

Managing past paper with NotebookLM

Supporting Subject Knowledge

Staying up to date with your subject

Other

Using ChatGPT to check spelling and grammar

Reflecting on your lesson with chatGPT as a coach

Using ChatGPT for hot seating in Primary schools

Student use of AI

Here are some resources that can be used to teach students how to use AI

AI Adventure: Explore, Create, Innovate (for ages 10 - 12)

Click here to access the resource

How to use AI responsibly (for ages 13+)

click here to access the resource

Year 7 AI usage

Click here to read the blog

Upcoming Events

Click here to access upcoming events, as well as any meetings previously held by the AI Community

AI Case Studies

City of Wolverhampton College

City of Wolverhampton College discuss how the institution integrates AI into its curriculum to enhance teaching and learning. Staff have received training on responsible AI use, and students are encouraged to use AI effectively while adhering to strict guidelines for academic integrity.

The college emphasizes alternative assessment methods to ensure work authenticity and has developed a comprehensive AI policy approved by staff and student representatives.

Click here to view the case study

Stonar School

This case study describes Stonar School's AI chatbot project, designed to teach students—especially those with SEND—coding and AI skills by developing a practical chatbot tool.

The project supports diverse learning needs while promoting digital competency.

click here to view the case study

Merchant Taylor's school

Merchant Taylors’ School used Co-pilot Studio to create a custom AI chatbot for computer science students.

The chatbot provides reliable, topic-specific answers from trusted resources, supporting students’ learning while allowing teachers to monitor usage. It effectively guides students through coding concepts, definitions, and resources with controlled generative responses.

click here to view the case study