Overview
- Teacher-led co-creation with AI labs and tech firms begins this summer, with secondary school trials due later in 2026.
- The Department for Education targets availability by the end of 2027, projecting access for up to 450,000 pupils on free school meals in years 9–11.
- Ministers say the tools will align with the national curriculum, include safety safeguards, complement classroom teaching, and not replace teachers.
- Benchmarks and staff training will be developed, supported by a £23 million expansion of EdTech Testbeds to broaden trials of AI and assistive technology.
- School leaders welcome teacher involvement but warn technology cannot substitute funding and human support, and officials have not disclosed overall programme costs or detailed operations.