Education · 22 September 2026
AI in Education
For teachers, school leaders and MATs
At askKira, we provide GDPR-compliant, secure AI built specifically for UK schools. Developed with over 100 education experts and aligned with DfE, Ofsted and EEF guidance, askKira helps teachers, school leaders and MATs work smarter, reduce workload and make data-driven decisions with confidence.
This week's roundup brings you the latest AI developments that matter for UK education.
School AI Policy
Half of UK Schools Still Have No AI Policy in Place
New data from the NEU reveals that 49% of schools have no AI policy whatsoever, with 66% lacking anything specific to student use. Despite DfE guidance being published, schools have been left to draft their own frameworks without templates or standards. Effective policies need not be lengthy; the strongest examples fit on a single page with named tools, clear boundaries and one accountable person.
Why it matters: With AI use already embedded in many classrooms, UK school leaders cannot afford to delay. A clear, one-page policy protects staff, students and the school from safeguarding and data risks this academic year.
Read the source on LNKD →MPs and Lords Call for New Law to Protect Human Rights from AI
A cross-party group of UK MPs and peers has warned that existing legislation is ill-equipped to handle the human rights risks posed by rapid AI deployment. They are calling for a comprehensive new law to regulate AI systems, highlighting concerns about automated decision-making that directly affects individuals' rights and daily lives.
Why it matters: Any new AI legislation would have direct implications for how UK schools procure, deploy and govern AI tools, particularly those making decisions about pupils' learning, attendance or welfare.
Read the source on INNERTEMPLELIBRARY →AI in Further Education
FE Sector's AI Governance Gap Laid Bare in New Leadership Report
Research co-authored with the Education and Training Foundation finds that 90% of FE and skills leaders report AI activity in their organisations over the past 12 months, yet only 17% feel well prepared and just 27% have an AI governance framework in place. Staff are already using generative tools to draft lesson plans and mark work, often before boards have established who is accountable or what data protections apply.
Why it matters: FE colleges face the same governance exposure as schools but often with less structural oversight. Without a clear AI strategy, colleges risk significant data, safeguarding and reputational harm as informal pilots spread unchecked.
Read the source on LNKD →AI in Student Learning
MIT Study Warns AI May Be Creating an Illusion of Learning
A newly published MIT study, covered widely this week, warns that AI use can cause "cognitive surrender" in students, with researchers concluding that AI can actively harm learning outcomes when used without structure. The findings are prompting renewed debate on campuses and in school communities about how AI should and should not be used in the classroom.
Why it matters: UK teachers and curriculum leaders need to distinguish clearly between AI as a teacher-support tool and AI as a substitute for student thinking. This research strengthens the case for explicit classroom AI protocols in UK schools.
Read the source on LNKD →AI Tools and Training
TES Publishes Editable AI Policy Template for Schools
TES has released a human-centred, editable AI policy for schools available in both Word and PDF formats. The resource is designed to help school leaders produce a working policy without starting from scratch, addressing one of the most consistently cited barriers to effective AI governance at school level.
Why it matters: With the majority of UK schools still lacking a formal AI policy, a ready-made, editable template removes a significant practical obstacle and helps leaders act quickly at the start of this academic year.
Read the source on LNKD →