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Trials of AI tutoring tools will start in schools this year, according to the Department for Education.

The DfE announced plans to involve teachers in the design process for the AI tools, which it says will “help drive up standards by complementing high-quality face-to-face teaching - not replacing it”.

Teachers will be involved in designing the tools this summer, with trials in schools taking place from the autumn term of 2026. The DfE plans for the tools to be available in schools by the end of 2027.

The government will run a tender to appoint a tech business to co-create the AI tutoring tools with teachers, and it hopes to be able to offer “one-to-one support often only available to a privileged few” at scale.

Developing AI tutoring tools

The DfE said that “robust benchmarks will also be developed so parents and teachers can be confident that AI tools for use by pupils are high-quality, reliable and, most importantly, safe”.

Teachers and other school staff will be offered “training developed with the education sector, so they have the skills, knowledge and confidence to use AI safely and effectively”.

A DfE spokesperson said: “By adapting to individual pupils’ needs, the tools could provide extra help when they get stuck and identify where they need more practice to master their lessons, with the potential to help them catch up with their peers.”

According to the DfE, the tools could support up to 450,000 students from disadvantaged backgrounds between Year 9 and Year 11.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “AI tutoring tools have the potential to transform access to tailored support for young people, taking tutoring from a privilege of the lucky few to every child who needs it - so all children can achieve and thrive.”

Ms Phillipson said the tools can only be helpful “if they are safe and support learning” and that the DfE would ensure teachers are involved in their design.

Technology secretary Liz Kendall said: “Every child should have an equal shot at success, no matter their background - but, in reality, too many disadvantaged children are falling behind their peers in school.

“We’re determined to close that gap. That’s why we are going to work with teachers and tech experts to make safe, smart AI tutoring tools available to schools by the end of 2027, providing extra help for kids who couldn’t otherwise afford it.”

Last year ����Vlog revealed that the government was seeking ways to encourage schools to use AI tutors for students. This was criticised by Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU teaching union, who warned of “tutoring on a shoestring”.

AI ‘can’t replace human interaction’

Today Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at the NAHT school leaders’ union, said: “AI has real potential to help enhance teaching and learning, and it is understandable that the government is keen to explore the development of tools which have the potential to support disadvantaged children.

“It is positive that this initiative envisages teachers being involved in development of this technology, to ensure it can be used safely and appropriately, and important that the education secretary acknowledges that it should complement face-to-face interaction with children, not replace it.”

Ms Hannafin added that AI is “unlikely” to be a shortcut to tackling the disadvantage-related attainment gap and schools need more funding for staff and resources to offer “dedicated personal support”.

Today’s government announcement follows the launch of a consultation on children’s social media use and banning phones in schools and £23 million of investment to expand the government’s EdTech ����Vlogtbeds pilot programme.

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