AI at work, by profession
AI in schools and colleges: what the DfE guidance lets staff do, and what must never go in
The Department for Education is positive about staff using generative AI, and specific about pupils' data, pupils' own work and safeguarding.
Checked against the published sources on 2 October 2026.
The short answer
Staff may use generative AI for lesson and curriculum planning, creating resources, tailored feedback and administrative tasks, and remain responsible for the quality and content of whatever they produce. The guidance recommends that personal data is not used in generative AI tools, and a pupil's own work must not be used to train a model without permission. Safeguarding information never goes into a general AI tool.
- Guidance
- Generative artificial intelligence in education
- First published
- 2023, last updated August 2025
- Product safety standards
- Updated January 2026
- Staff support materials
- Refreshed May 2026
What must never go in
In a school, personal data covers names, dates of birth, addresses, assessment results, behaviour records, special educational needs, safeguarding concerns and anything about a pupil's family.
A pupil's essay or homework belongs to the pupil. Schools must not allow it to be used to train an AI model without permission from the pupil or a parent or guardian, unless an exception to copyright applies. Pasting a class set of essays into a tool may do exactly that, depending on the tool's terms.
Pupils using AI
Pupils should only use generative AI with appropriate safeguards, such as close supervision and tools with safety, filtering and monitoring features. Schools must comply with the age restrictions set by AI tools, and many general tools are not intended for children.
Choosing a tool
The DfE's product safety standards describe what a tool used with pupils should do: filter harmful content, monitor and report, and protect privacy and data. They give any member of staff the right questions.
- Does it filter, and does it tell us when a pupil hits a filter?
- What happens to what pupils type?
- Has the school approved it for this age group?
This page explains what the rule says. It is not legal, regulatory, clinical or financial advice on your own position. Rules change, so read the sources listed beside it, and tell us at hello@wajd.co.uk if something here is out of date.
Learn it properly, free
This guide is the summary. The course teaches it in full, with a video conversation, worked scenarios and a knowledge check after each module. Every module is free to read with no account. A certificate, if you want one once you pass, is £9.
AI at work, by industry · 1.5 CPD hours
AI in schools and colleges: what the DfE expects, and protecting assessment
Questions people ask
Are teachers allowed to use AI?
Yes. The DfE's guidance names planning, resources, feedback and administration. The professional remains responsible for the result.
Can I put pupils' names or marks into an AI tool?
The guidance recommends that personal data is not used in generative AI tools.
Can I use an AI tool to mark pupils' essays?
Take care. A pupil's original work must not be used to train a model without permission, and whether a tool does that depends on its terms. Ask what your school has approved.
Can pupils use general chatbots in lessons?
Only with safeguards in place and within the tool's age restrictions. Many general tools are not intended for children.