UK Teachers Get Green Light to Use AI for Marking and Admin Tasks

Teachers in England can now use artificial intelligence to help with marking and writing routine letters to parents, according to new guidance from the Department for Education.

The training materials, distributed to schools, encourage teachers to automate repetitive tasks and focus more on face-to-face teaching. The guidance marks the first time the department has issued official advice on how AI should and should not be used in schools.

AI should only be used for low-stakes marking, such as quizzes or homework, and teachers must verify the results. The guidance also permits the use of AI to draft routine letters, including examples like notifications about head lice outbreaks.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the initiative aims to reduce teacher workloads and allow more time for personalised support and inspiring teaching.

The Department for Education emphasised that teachers must be transparent about their use of AI and ensure manual checks are in place to prevent errors or misuse.

Schools are advised to develop clear policies on AI usage, outlining when and how both teachers and pupils can use the technology. Only approved tools should be used, and students should be taught to identify deepfakes and misinformation.

Credit: Department of Education

Emma Darcy, a secondary school leader and AI consultant, said educators have a responsibility to understand AI, as students are already using it extensively. However, she warned of risks such as data breaches and inaccuracies, noting that AI can generate false information.

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the guidance but highlighted financial constraints in the education sector. He said that while AI could ease workloads and help with staff retention, realising its benefits would require investment.

Research from BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, found that most teachers were not yet using AI and some were hesitant to disclose its use. Julia Adamson, BCS managing director for education, said the guidance is a positive step but called for clarity on how teachers should inform parents about AI use.

The Scottish and Welsh governments have also supported the professional and responsible use of AI in schools. In Northern Ireland, Education Minister Paul Givan recently announced a study by Oxford Brookes University to explore how AI could improve educational outcomes.

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• England’s Department for Education issues first AI guidance for schools

• Teachers can use AI for low-stakes marking and routine letters

• Manual checks and transparency are required to avoid errors

Source: BBC