What Every School Needs Before Saying “We Use AI”

AI in schools is growing fast, but rushing into implementation without the right foundations can do more harm than good. From policy to pilot projects, we must ask: are we truly ready?

Jun 23, 2025

This post is part of a series exploring how schools can integrate AI meaningfully, ethically and strategically. It offers insights and strategies for educators across all curricula and contexts, from Dubai to Dublin, Delhi to Durban and everywhere in between.

Subscribers get exclusive access to AI readiness audits, editable implementation plans and CPD guidance for school-wide AI strategy.

Why Strategy Before Tools Matters

Implementing AI is not a software decision, it’s a teaching and learning decision. Too often, schools jump to adopting tools without clarity on purpose, values, or policy. That’s why strong AI strategies begin with the why, not the what.

Whether you’re just beginning or scaling up, these foundations support phased and sustainable growth.

When schools fail to get this right, we see:

CPD burnout with low uptake
Tools with no alignment to curriculum goals
Confused messages to students and parents
Missed safeguarding or legal risks

This post outlines what must be in place before schools confidently declare they “use AI.”

What Schools Should Have in Place

Before any tools or platforms are rolled out, schools need to build a strong, sustainable foundation that prioritises people, policy and pedagogy. Here are the essentials:

Shared Purpose – All stakeholders understand why AI is being introduced and what values guide its use.
AI Lead – A named person responsible for guiding implementation (ideally with experience across T&L and safeguarding).
Infrastructure Audit – Devices, networks and student access are reviewed to ensure secure and equitable AI access.
Policy Alignment – Safeguarding, assessment, digital use and data policies are updated to reflect AI-specific risks.
Pilot Phase – AI use begins with small, documented trials — with opt-in staff and clear evaluation criteria.
Staff CPD – Training focuses on pedagogy, not just tech. Staff are confident using AI with integrity.
Student Voice – Learners are consulted and involved in shaping ethical AI use in the classroom.
Governance & Oversight – Governors or relevant leadership teams are briefed, involved, and ready to ask questions.
Documentation – All AI use, trials and decisions are recorded to support transparency, accountability and inspection readiness.
Cross-School Consistency – If part of a group or trust, schools align strategy and policy for coherent, scalable adoption.

Real-World Examples of Early Implementation

Here’s how schools are approaching early-stage AI adoption:

A Year 6 team ran a short trial using AI tools to support descriptive writing, collecting evidence on impact before expanding.
A secondary school began with a single department using AI for feedback and shared findings in a staff-wide CPD.
One school used student councils to co-create AI classroom guidelines with peer education activities.
Another embedded AI questions into existing digital citizenship lessons to build awareness before using tools.

These small-scale approaches allow for evaluation, adaptation and confident scale-up.

In Practice: How Schools Are Building AI Strategy

While the core foundations remain consistent, each school context brings unique opportunities. Here’s what early-stage strategy looks like in action:

Primary schools: Begin with one year group using AI for sentence modelling, scaffolded writing, or idea generation.
Secondary schools: Use subject-specific pilots e.g. AI for science feedback or essay scaffolding in history.
Whole-school approach: Create cross-department working groups to develop common principles and case studies.
Group-wide strategy: Align AI use across campuses with shared CPD, policy templates, and central review teams.

Next Steps for Leaders

Before you say “we use AI,” take time to ask if the right structures are in place to support long-term, safe and meaningful use. This is not just about compliance, it’s about confidence.

Conduct an AI Readiness Audit – Map where your school is now and identify gaps.
Appoint an AI Strategy Lead – Give someone time and responsibility to guide rollout.
Update Key Policies – Ensure safeguarding, assessment and acceptable use policies reflect AI realities.
Plan a Pilot Phase – Choose an area to explore with clear aims, training and opt-in staff.
Record and Review – Keep clear documentation of all AI activity, this supports review, scaling and inspection evidence.
Create Visual Tools – Use infographics or flowcharts to communicate your AI roadmap with staff and stakeholders.

Start small. Start well. The foundation matters more than the tools.

Useful Links

1. UK DfE – Artificial Intelligence in Schools: Everything You Need to Know

🔗 https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/artificial-intelligence-in-schools-everything-you-need-to-know/

A comprehensive government summary of the role of AI in UK schools, covering safety, use cases, and policy expectations.

2. Panorama Education – AI in Schools: Empowering Teachers and Supporting Students

🔗 https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/ai-in-schools

Insight into how schools across the US are using AI to enhance teacher workflow, support wellbeing, and improve student outcomes.

Reflective Questions

What message are we sending to students and parents about why we’re using AI?
Do we have a clear plan for training, policy and rollout, not just tool adoption?
How will we review and adapt our AI use over time?
Who is leading this work and do they have the time and support to do it well?

AI in Education Blog Series

This 4-week series explores how schools can embed AI meaningfully, ethically and strategically across curriculum, CPD, leadership and inclusion. New posts are published four times a week throughout June and July 2025.

Week 1: Orientation – Understanding the Shift

Week 2: Teaching, Equity and Ethics

5. Planning with AI Without Losing Professional Judgement

6. Can We Really Teach Ethics in AI? Yes, Here’s How

7. What Inclusive AI Use Looks Like in EAL and SEND Contexts

8. Keeping Students Safe: The New Rules of AI and Safeguarding

Week 3: Teaching Across Subjects

9. Reimagining Reading and Writing: AI in English and Arabic

10. AI in Math and Science: From Calculation to Simulation

11. What Happens to Critical Thinking When AI Can Summarise?

12. Creativity and Authenticity in the Age of AI

Week 4: Strategy, Assessment and Future Readiness