AI Literacy, Ethics & Professional Judgement

Supporting confident, responsible decision-making as AI becomes part of everyday teaching

AI is no longer a future issue for schools.
It already shapes how pupils encounter information, ideas and language.

The challenge schools face isn’t simply whether AI is allowed, it’s whether pupils and teachers understand the systems they’re interacting with.

This strand responds to a growing literacy gap. Without clear understanding, pupils risk trusting systems they don’t understand and teachers are left navigating uncertainty, mixed messages or overly rigid rules.

The GenAI strand helps schools move beyond panic or prohibition and towards confidence, clarity and informed professional judgement, grounded in learning, trust and integrity.

This strand brings together short, focused CPD designed to build shared understanding and confidence across staff.

Schools will access:

bite-sized micro-credentials focused on real classroom decisions
a whole-school webinar to establish shared language and intent
optional longer CPD courses for deeper exploration
practical scenarios and reflection tools rooted in everyday practice

The focus throughout is understanding and judgement, not tools, prompts or platforms.

Micro-credentials are short, focused learning units (15–20 minutes each) designed for busy teachers.

Each micro-credential:

explores one key concept, decision or dilemma
uses realistic classroom scenarios
prioritises professional judgement over rules
avoids tool lists and step-by-step instructions

Topics include:

understanding what AI systems are (and aren’t)
supporting thinking without replacing it
modelling ethical and transparent use
protecting assessment integrity
navigating grey areas with confidence

They are practical, reflective and immediately relevant.

Each strand includes a whole-school webinar designed to create a shared starting point.

The GenAI webinar helps staff:

understand AI as a system, not a shortcut
clarify sensible and ethical boundaries
reduce anxiety and inconsistency
align modelling, classroom practice and expectations

Webinars work well for:

INSET days
staff meetings
launching the strand
establishing a shared baseline before micro-credentials

Schools engaging with the GenAI strand report:

greater staff confidence and clarity
more consistent modelling of AI use
reduced anxiety around “getting it wrong”
clearer boundaries around assessment and originality
improved pupil understanding, not just compliance

Most importantly, this strand supports agency, helping pupils learn to question, evaluate and understand AI systems, rather than simply consume them.