Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Oldfield Brow

As we integrate AI into our curriculum and everyday teaching approaches, our goal is to equip our learners with the skills and knowledge they will need for the future. We encourage all parents to explore this exciting field with us and to visit our FAQs section for more information on how AI is being taught and its benefits for your child's education.

1. Why is the school using AI?

We use AI tools to support teachers with planning, reduce workload, and give pupils safe opportunities to learn about AI in an age-appropriate way. However, AI is never a replacement for teachers and will never be used above teachers' professional judgements and deep knowledge of each learner.

2. What AI tools are being used?

We only use tools that have been checked and approved by the school’s DPO and Governing Body. These include:

Teacher tools for lesson planning and resource creation.
Pupil tools for brainstorming, idea generation, and accessibility support (e.g., text-to-speech).

The only AI generative tools the school uses at present are Microsoft Co-Pilot which is integrated into the schools Office 365 subscription. Chat GPT may also be used for creation of template tasks to support teaching and learning. No identifiable information will be included as part of any use of these systems.

3. Is my child’s personal data shared with AI systems?

No personal or sensitive data is entered into AI tools by default.

If a tool requires any personal data, we:

complete a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA),
put a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) in place with the supplier,
and seek parental consent where appropriate.

4. How do you keep pupils safe?

Pupils only use AI under teacher supervision.
They are taught not to share personal details.
The school has a clear Acceptable Use Policy and Safeguarding procedures.
Any misuse or concerns are reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

5. Will AI be used in assessments?

No. AI may help with low-stakes tasks (like idea generation), but never for high-stakes tests or formal assessments. Teachers verify understanding through classwork, discussion, and other methods.

6. How is fairness and bias managed?

Before approval, each tool is checked for bias and accessibility. We ensure tools do not disadvantage pupils with SEND or protected characteristics.

7. How will I know if things change?

We review the AI policy annually (or sooner if national guidance changes). Parents will be updated through newsletters and the school website.

8. Who can I contact with questions?

AI Lead: Dawn Moody
Data Protection Officer (DPO): Shane Williams (CEO) Global Policing
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Laura Heffernan