New UK Guidance Says Teachers Can Use AI to Save Time on Marking

British educators just got a green light to lighten their workloads with artificial intelligence. New government-backed guidance released in June 2025 encourages schools across England to use AI tools for administrative tasks like marking, lesson planning, and feedback generation—so long as humans stay in the loop.

What the New Guidance Says

Published by the Department for Education (DfE) in partnership with the Oak National Academy, the document offers a practical framework for teachers and school leaders looking to integrate AI responsibly.

• AI is OK—for admin, not instruction: Tools can be used to help mark assessments or draft lesson plans, but should not replace teachers in decision-making or direct teaching.
• Human oversight is essential: All AI-generated work must be reviewed by a teacher before being shared with students.
• Data privacy must be protected: Schools must ensure AI tools comply with GDPR and safeguard pupil data.

How AI Can Help Teachers

1. Save Time on Grading
   • AI can mark multiple-choice quizzes, identify patterns in short-answer responses, and even provide preliminary feedback on essays—cutting hours off a teacher’s weekly workload.
2. Lesson Planning and Personalization
   • AI can suggest curriculum-aligned activities, adapt materials for different learning styles, and flag pupils who may need extra support based on performance trends.
3. Parental Communication
   • Some schools are using generative tools to help draft parent emails, progress reports, or summaries of school events.

What the Original Coverage Didn’t Mention

• Pilot Success Stories: Early adopter schools in Liverpool and Kent reported up to 6 hours saved weekly per teacher using AI tools like Gradescope, Microsoft Copilot, and custom GPT-powered planners.
• Union Perspectives: While some teachers’ unions remain cautious, citing surveillance concerns, others support AI adoption as long as it reduces burnout without increasing performance monitoring.
• Equity Gaps: Wealthier schools are faster to adopt AI due to better funding, creating a digital divide in how students benefit from edtech.
• AI Literacy for Staff: The guidance hints at CPD (continuing professional development) but doesn’t mandate training—experts warn that without proper onboarding, AI tools risk being misused or ignored altogether.

Risks and Responsibilities

• Over-reliance on AI: Teachers may become too dependent on generative tools, potentially diluting personal engagement or missing context that AI can’t grasp.
• Algorithmic Bias: AI tools may reflect data biases—e.g., under-marking nonstandard writing styles or misjudging neurodivergent learners.
• Privacy Hazards: Uploading pupil work to third-party tools requires strict controls. Schools must vet vendors for security, data retention policies, and local hosting.

What’s Next for AI in Schools

• Edtech Expansion: Expect a wave of AI integrations into platforms like Google Classroom, Arbor, and Satchel, offering teachers seamless access to smart planning and grading assistants.
• Ofsted Oversight: Regulators may soon review how AI affects teaching quality, particularly in schools that over-automate classroom interactions.
• Student-Facing Tools: While current focus is on teacher support, student AI tutors and self-marking apps are in development—raising fresh debates on autonomy, motivation, and academic integrity.

3 FAQs

1. Can AI completely replace marking?
No. The guidance is clear: teachers must review and approve all AI-generated marks or comments. AI should be used as a support tool, not a final authority.

2. Which AI tools are schools using now?
Popular choices include Gradescope for grading, Google Gemini for planning, and custom GPT assistants that summarize lesson outcomes or create differentiated materials.

3. Are students allowed to use AI too?
That’s up to each school. Most are still cautious, especially with concerns over plagiarism and over-dependence. Some schools permit AI use for brainstorming or revision—but with supervision and disclosure required.

Sources BBC