AI in Schools: Best Practices for Teachers and Leaders

By Tomas Lerpiniere · Updated 2026-09-08

AI can improve feedback quality, reduce admin workload, and help students progress faster. The key is implementation: clear guardrails, practical teacher support, and a strong focus on learning outcomes. When AI assists marking, use purpose-built AI marking software with teacher review, not generic chat tools.

1) Start with learning goals, not tools

Define the outcomes first: faster formative feedback, better writing quality, or improved intervention tracking. Choose AI workflows that support those goals rather than introducing disconnected tools.

2) Create a simple school-wide AI usage policy

Keep policy clear and practical: what is allowed, what is not, and what must be disclosed by students. Include examples for homework, coursework, and revision tasks so expectations are consistent. Use our school AI policy guide for UK leaders and MATs for Red/Amber/Green boundaries and a fair suspected-misuse protocol, and the free AI writing detector when staff need a no-signup triage check with sentence-level evidence.

3) Train staff in short, role-specific sessions

Focus CPD on real classroom workflows: rubric marking, feedback drafting, moderation checks, and intervention planning. Quick wins build confidence and reduce resistance.

4) Use human review for high-stakes decisions

AI should support professional judgement, not replace it. Keep final grading, safeguarding judgements, and formal interventions under educator control with transparent review steps.

5) Measure impact each half-term

Track outcomes like marking turnaround time, feedback consistency, and student improvement patterns. This helps school leaders justify investment and refine AI rollout plans.